Portugal coach Roberto Martínez believes the pleasant in opposition to Chile was a “good recreation” forward of their opening World Cup match.
Portugal gained 2-1 on the Estadio Nacional, with Gonzalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scoring for the house facet, with each groups receiving crimson playing cards in first-half stoppage time.
Rafael Leao was despatched off for violent conduct simply earlier than the break, whereas Chile’s Ivan Roman was additionally proven a crimson card for a similar altercation that sparked anger in Lisbon.
Regardless of this, Portugal got here out on prime when it was 10-10. Martinez’s group is at present undefeated in all three warm-up matches, beating the US 2-0 after a goalless draw with Mexico.
Portugal will start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, earlier than additionally enjoying in opposition to Uzbekistan and Colombia within the group stage.
Martinez believes the expertise of enjoying with 10 gamers will likely be helpful when going through South American nations comparable to Colombia.
“I favored a whole lot of issues,” Martinez stated after the win in opposition to Chile.
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— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 6, 2026
“To start with, as I stated earlier, within the World Cup it’s important to be ready for surprises. Due to the crimson card, we ended up enjoying 10 in opposition to 10, with more room and extra duels.”
“It is superb that it occurred now, as a result of South American groups are used to issues like that. We play in opposition to Colombia and it might occur.
“There have been some superb points and a few not so good points.
“General, what we confirmed as a group is we had been beginning to gel and regardless of the shock of enjoying with 10 males within the second half, we had been in a position to win the sport.”
