Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot started for Portugal on Wednesday night against Nigeria in a 2-1 victory.
Unlike every other national team right now, Portugal have spent their pre-tournament on home soil with two wins ahead of heading to the USA, and Manchester United had a vested interest.
Portugal beat Chile 2-1 last week and have followed it up with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria to conclude preparations for the World Cup, which kicks off against DR Congo.
Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot both played in this win; here is what the local press in Portugal had to say about the pair, and also Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Portuguese press impressed by Diogo Dalot performance vs Nigeria
For a change, it wasn’t Fernandes who was the star of the show from a United point of view for Portugal. Instead, it was actually Dalot.
Portuguese outlet Bola Na Rede highlighted Dalot’s performance.
“The alternative to Nuno Mendes at left-back will be between João Cancelo and Diogo Dalot. The Manchester United full-back started in Leiria and performed well in this position, although at a level far from Nuno Mendes, as is natural, where he is no stranger to the game. He managed to alternate positions when building attacks, either more centrally or wide, and made some runs into space. In one of these, he provided an important assist. Defensively, he wasn’t as comfortable.”
A Bola also enjoyed Dalot’s outing, handing him a solid six out of 10 rating.
“He received the ball after a great pass from Trincão, paused briefly to see who was unmarked, and, when he saw that Neto was alone, he passed the ball to him. The goal was by Neto, the assist was by Dalot. A great assist, indeed. Less successful later, when he failed to stop, in front of Dele-Bashiru, the play that would lead to the equalizing goal.”
GoalPoint rated Dalot as the best Portuguese player in the first-half at six out of 10, only beaten by the substitutes who came on at the break.
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Portuguese press on Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo
While Dalot had a good outing, Fernandes and Ronaldo weren’t as eye-catching.
A Bola only rated Fernandes a six out of 10.
“Powerful shot, with his left foot and from a not very favorable angle, forcing the goalkeeper to make a tight save for a corner.”
It might have been an off day for Fernandes, but Ronaldo was the real surprise with his display rated a four out of 10.
“More was expected from Portugal’s number 7. He had more opportunities near halftime, but his head didn’t do what his brain demanded. First, he deflected the ball slightly, sending it over the bar; later, he couldn’t reach Bruno Fernandes’ cross in time. In the 50th minute, he received a low cross from Nuno Gomes, but his left-footed shot was very poor. He was substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos.”
GoalPoint rated Fernandes 5.5/10 and Ronaldo 3.7/10, respectively, highlighting the poor performance of the Portuguese captain.
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