The senior national team of Nigeria were roundly beaten by World Cup bound Portugal 4-0 in an international friendly at a sold out Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The game was their final tune up game before heading to the World Cup.
Portugal made proper use of their early dominance by taking the lead in the 9th minute when Bruno Fernandes finished off a cross from Diego Dalot with ease, thanks to the poor organization of the Nigerian defence.
They continue piling the pressure with Joao Felix trying his luck from range and only missing by some few metres with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho beaten. The breakthrough for the second goal didn’t waste time in coming.
Ten minutes before the half time break, Bright Osayi-Samuel was adjudged to have to handle the ball in the Nigerian box and after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), it was given as a penalty.
Fernandez stepped up to grab his and his team’s second goal of the game by sending Uzoho the wrong way. He was unfortunate not to score a first half hattrick as he ran out of space after beating Uzoho a few minutes before the half time break.
Ten minutes from full time, a strong run from Osayi-Samuel from a swift counter attack ended with Dalot bringing down the right back on the left flank of Nigeria. Emmanuel Dennis stepped up to take it despite captain William Troost Ekong telling him to hand the ball to Paul Onuachu.
Dennis ended up hitting the woodwork with his efforts and less than a minute later, Portugal made it 3-0 with a simple tap in for Gonzalo Ramos. Joao Mario rounded up an emphatic win for the host with the fourth goal a minute later.
