Portugal will wrap up their World Cup preparations against Nigeria in an international friendly on Wednesday evening, just days after their match against Chile at Estadio Nacional.
Under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, the team is gaining momentum ahead of their first match of the tournament against DR Congo on June 17. They are considered one of the top contenders for the title due to their squad’s depth and talent.
Following a 2-1 victory over Chile, in which Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scored, the Selecao das Quinas are looking to maintain their confidence. They have experienced only one defeat in their last 12 outings.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still the focal point of the squad and may be preparing for what could be his final World Cup. He is seeking to secure the one major trophy that has eluded him. Notably, Portugal has yet to win the World Cup, with their highest finish recorded in 1966 when they placed third.
In contrast, Nigeria arrives in Lisbon feeling dejected after missing World Cup qualification due to a penalty shootout loss against DR Congo in the playoffs. Nonetheless, the Super Eagles are in good form and recently clinched the Unity Cup in London with wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica.
Eric Chelle’s team has not lost in their last six matches and drew 2-2 with Poland in their latest game.
The Super Eagles will be missing several key players, including Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, while center-back Igoh Ogbu is also sidelined due to injury. In their last encounter in 2022, Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0, but this time around, the African side is anticipated to present a greater challenge.
Team News
Portugal may see the return of several Paris Saint-Germain players, such as Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Goncalo Ramos, following their Champions League commitments. It is possible that Cristiano Ronaldo will start from the bench, while Diogo Costa is likely to return as the goalkeeper.
Nigeria continues to be without Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Their X account has confirmed that Igoh Ogbu has withdrawn due to injury. Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are expected to lead the attack once more.
Possible Lineups
Portugal possible starting lineup:
D Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, J Neves; Bernardo, Guedes, Neto
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Bewene, Ogbu, Fernandez, Onyemaechi; Simon, Onyeka, Ndidi, Nnadi; Adams, Moffi
How to watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | DSTVStream App |
| Kick-off Time | 20:45 (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball forecasts a Portugal victory, with a scoreline of 3-1 against Nigeria.
While Portugal has greater squad depth and attacking prowess, Nigeria’s speed and strength could pose challenges during quick transitions. Nonetheless, Martinez’s squad is expected to have enough control and creativity to prevail in what promises to be a competitive match.
