Abyssal Super Eagles fall in Portugal

Portugal's Selecao beat Nigeria's Super Eagles 4-0 in their first-ever encounter as they head to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The 2016 European champions scored two goals 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 obviously uninspired Nigeria side.

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

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

Portugal VS Nigeria [PHOTO: TW @NGSuperEagles]

Nigerian manager Jose Peseiro made his debut for Bright Osayi-Samuel, and the Fenerbahce man gave an excellent account despite the unfortunate handball that gave the Portuguese the chance to score their second goal.

The Eagles started better pressing Portugal in their own half and winning the first corner of the game, but the Eagles, as is now the custom under Peseiro, conceded the first goal in the first 10 minutes of the meeting.

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

The second was unfortunate handball. The Eagles were better in the second half and created more scoring chances that weren't taken. Frank Onyeka's ball to Calvin Bassey in the 60th minute was wasted because no Nigerian striker was within range of the ball.

Portugal VS Nigeria [PHOTO: TW @channelstv]

Samuel Chukwueze tipped past Antonio Silva in the 71st minute, but Patricio quickly left his lines to save with his leg. Uzoho then saved a shot from Felix which took a gash away from Osayi-Samuel.

Nigeria had a golden chance to reduce the count when Osayi-Samuel chased a ball and was knocked down by Dalot on the edge of the box in the 81st minute.

Substitute Emmanuel Dennis grabbed the ball and despite his teammates whispering in his ears, he ignored calls from the bench for Paul Onuachu to shoot.

The Watford man inflated his lines as Rui Patricio pushed the kick into the post and the chance was gone.

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A minute later, Ramos scored and Mario added the fourth in a great team move that saw Ramos take on the Benfica midfield to seal the win.

The third and fourth Portuguese goals were the result of a static defense on the edge of the Nigerian penalty area.

The victory supports Portugal who will face the Black Stars of Ghana in their first match of the World Cup.