Portugal beat Nigeria 2-1 in Leiria in an international friendly that mixed slick buildup play with a burst of second‑half quality. Pedro Neto opened the scoring, Akor Adams replied, and Francisco Conceição settled it with a tidy left‑foot finish. The match at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa offered a solid test for both sides, with Portugal controlling most phases and Nigeria staying dangerous in transition.

Sofascore tracked every touch, pass, and tackle, and the numbers back up what the eye suggested. Portugal had more of the ball, created the bigger chances, and found the decisive moment when it mattered.

Neto strikes, Adams answers

Portugal started sharply and got their reward on 23 minutes. Diogo Dalot advanced on the right and slipped a neat ball into the channel, where Pedro Neto took one touch and guided a left‑foot shot high into the net. It was simple wing‑back-to-wing interplay executed with good timing and a clean finish. Nigeria’s response arrived before the break and changed the mood in Leiria.

In the 37th minute, a direct sequence put Portugal on the back foot. Fisayo Dele‑Bashiru took a smart touch in the inside channel and fed Akor Adams, who drove a left‑foot strike across Diogo Costa for 1‑1. The move started deep, involved calm distribution, and ended with precise placement. By halftime, the friendly had the rhythm of a proper contest, not a tune‑up.

Second‑half switches and the winner

Roberto Martínez turned to his bench at halftime and the changes tilted the game. João Cancelo came on and immediately gave Portugal more crossing threat, while Francisco Conceição offered constant width and 1v1 initiative. Bernardo Silva and Rúben Neves added fresh legs in midfield. The wave became a goal in the 75th minute.

Cancelo shaped a measured cross to the far side and Conceição arrived to steer a left‑foot finish past Maduka Okoye for 2‑1. Before that, João Félix had clipped the woodwork and drew a booking for dissent, while Cristiano Ronaldo, who had three big chances missed and four shots off target, made way for Gonçalo Ramos on 65. Nigeria pushed late, introducing Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze to chase set pieces and second balls. Portugal, though, managed the final minutes with control.

What the numbers say

Portugal led possession 61% to 39% and out‑shot Nigeria 13‑5, including 6‑2 on target. The hosts created three big chances to Nigeria’s zero and completed 588 passes to 373. Inside the box shots favored Portugal 9‑2, and final‑third entries read 62‑33. Crosses told a similar story with Portugal at 4 of 14 and Nigeria at 0 of 5.

Nigeria’s standout figures came in defensive activity. They finished with more tackles, 12 to 10, and more clearances, 15 to 7. Okoye made four saves, three categorised as big saves on Sofascore, and his distribution under pressure was tidy. Portugal won 56% of duels and spent more time in advanced areas, which matched the territorial feel of the game. Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer booked Onyemaechi Bruno, João Félix, Zaidu Sanusi and Samú Costa in a match that stayed competitive without boiling over.

Sofascore Rating leaders

Sofascore’s post‑match data had Samú Costa as Portugal’s top performer off the bench with a 7.7 Sofascore Rating. He won two tackles, produced a last‑man intervention and used the ball neatly. Pedro Neto earned 7.5 with his opener and direct carries, while Francisco Conceição posted 7.3 thanks to his winning goal and constant involvement. João Cancelo’s 7.1 reflected his assist and all‑action half on the right.

For Nigeria, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye’s 7.5 recognised his shot‑stopping and command of aerial balls. Akor Adams logged 7.4 with a well‑taken equaliser and purposeful runs. Wilfred Ndidi also hit 7.4 after a busy hour in midfield that included two tackles won and crucial blocks. Portugal started in a 4‑2‑3‑1 and Nigeria in a 4‑3‑1‑2, and this friendly looked anything but light, helped by intense duels across both halves.

A tidy night in Leiria

Portugal’s bench brought the spark, and the hosts used width to unlock Nigeria at key moments. Nigeria showed resilience, found a confident goalscorer in Adams, and had a keeper in form. In friendly terms, both coaches got answers. In football terms, the better final ball decided it. As always, you can dive deeper into the match on Sofascore with full player heat maps, passing networks and every Sofascore Rating from 1 to 10.