Abysmal Super Eagles fall to Portugal

Defeated by Portugal’s Selecao Super Eagles The Nigerians won 4-0 in their first meeting, en route to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The 2016 European champions scored twice from Bruno Fernandes in the first half and two more in the second half through Goncalo Ramos and Joao Ramos to defeat a complacent and admittedly uninspired Nigerian side.

Portugal played without Cristiano Ronaldo who was out due to illness.

It was Peseiro’s fifth defeat in seven games as the Super Eagles continue to rebuild ahead of the 2023 Nations Cup. The last time the Eagles lost by four or more goals was against Catalonia in December 1998.

Bright Osayi-Samuel was given his debut by Nigerian coach Jose Peseiro, and the Fenerbahce player gave an excellent account to give the Portuguese a second goal despite an unfortunate handball.

The Eagles started better as they pressed Portugal in their own half and won the first corner kick of the game, but the Eagles, as usual now under Peseiro, conceded the first goal inside the first 10 minutes.

A lofted ball from Joao Felix found Diogo Dalot in plenty of space behind the Nigerian defense and the United defender had just enough time to look up and find an unmarked Fernandes to slot into the net.

The second was from the unfortunate handball. The Eagles played better in the second half and created more scoring chances, which they failed to score. Frank Onyeka’s pass to Calvin Bassey in the 60th minute came to naught as no Nigerian striker was near the ball.

Samuel Chukwueze buzzed Antonio Silva in the 71st minute, but Patricio was quick to save with his leg. Uzoho then saved a shot from Felix, who denied Osayi-Samuel the slot.

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Nigeria had a golden opportunity to reduce the lead when Osayi-Samuel chased down a ball and Dalot brought it down on the edge of the box in the 81st minute.

Substitute Emmanuel Dennis took the ball and despite his teammates talking in his ear, Paul Onuachuk from the bench ignored calls for a shot.

The Watford man shook his lines as Rui Patricio pushed against the post and the chance was gone.

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A minute later Ramos scored and Mario added a fourth as Ramos beat the Benfica midfielder to seal the win from a superb side.

Portugal’s third and fourth goals came from static defense on the edge of the Nigerian box.

The win sees them face the Black Stars of Ghana in their first match of the World Cup.