Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday, closing their pre-tournament preparations with back-to-back wins ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Pedro Neto gave Portugal the lead in the 23rd minute before Akor Adams equalised for Nigeria, but substitute Francisco Conceição settled the contest with a moment of individual brilliance in the 75th minute, cutting in from the right and curling a powerful shot into the far corner beyond goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
The match was played at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, a city in central Portugal, and served as Portugal's final warm-up before heading to the United States. Nigeria, who did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, used the fixture to continue preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles were without star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both rested following demanding club seasons, yet matched Portugal for long stretches and were arguably the more threatening side on the counterattack in the first half.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old captain who holds the men's international scoring record with 143 goals, was presented with clear-cut opportunities in both halves but failed to convert, drawing groans from the home supporters before being substituted off in the 64th minute to warm applause. He will be making a record-tying sixth World Cup appearance when Portugal open their Group K campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Houston, Texas, next Wednesday. Portugal's group also includes Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez made sweeping changes at half-time, introducing Bernardo Silva, João Félix, João Cancelo and others, and the reinforcements immediately lifted the hosts. João Félix nearly restored the lead within minutes of the restart, forcing Okoye into a sharp save before striking the crossbar, and the Nigerian goalkeeper produced several further key interventions to keep the score level before Conceição's winner ended his resistance.
The result offered mixed takeaways for both sides. Portugal head into the World Cup with momentum but aware that Ronaldo's profligacy in front of goal remains a concern. For Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, Akor Adams's sixth international goal and the team's competitive showing against a strong European side provided genuine encouragement, even as the defeat underlined the work still required before continental qualifying resumes.