Dominating Performance: Portugal Shines Without Ronaldo Against the United States
Portugal showcased their strength without Cristiano Ronaldo, comfortably defeating the United States 2-0. This victory marked the US's eighth consecutive loss against European teams, highlighting their struggles on the international stage. Francisco Trincão opened the scoring just before half-time, capitalizing on a defensive error. He received a backheel pass from Bruno Fernandes after a series of plays that involved Weston McKennie and Vitinha. Trincão slotted the ball past goalkeeper Matt Freese, marking his third international goal. João Félix extended the lead in the second half, netting his 12th international goal. After a corner from Fernandes, Félix connected with a half-volley that hit the far post before bouncing in, showcasing his striking ability. Despite being repositioned to the top of the attack, Christian Pulisic struggled to convert two significant chances and played only the first half. His scoring drought extends to eight national team games and 12 matches with AC Milan since December 2024. The match, attended by a crowd of 72,297 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, served as a reality check for the US, who have been outscored 22 to 6 during their losing streak against European sides. They remain winless against Europe in their last ten matches since 2021. Portugal, preparing for a World Cup group featuring Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, managed to secure a confident win while missing their captain Ronaldo due to a hamstring injury. Coach Roberto Martinez indicated Ronaldo may return soon, adding to the team's potential strength. As the US gears up for their World Cup opener against Australia on June 12, coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to announce his squad on May 26, with warm-up matches against Senegal and Germany on the horizon.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-01