- The Super Eagles were taught a harsh lesson in Lisbon as Portugal ran out 4-0 winners at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday evening.
A brace from Manchester midfielder Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos' simple tap-in, and João Mário's late finish were all the 2016 European champions needed to outclass the 2013 Afcon winners.
How it happened
Head coach Jose Peseiro handed Fenerbahce full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel his Super Eagles debut and paired Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma with captain William Troost-Ekong at centre-back while Calvin Bassey started at left-back.
It did not take long, though, for the lack of cohesion in the Nigerian defence to manifest, with Bruno Fernandes opening the scoring after just eight minutes.
The Manchester United midfielder added a second goal in the 35th minute from the penalty spot after the referee spotted the ball struck Osayi-Samuel's hand in the danger area.
Two-nil, it was at halftime as the Portuguese showed with their composure on the ball and organisation all over the park that they were the team headed for the World Cup.
Coach Peseiro reshuffled his pack at the break, sending Samuel Chukwueze and Frank Onyeka to replace Ademola Lookman and Wilfred Ndidi.
Emmanuel Dennis, Paul Onuachu, and Oghenekaro Etebo entered the fray afterwards.
But it was new boy Osayi-Samuel who won a penalty for Nigeria with less than twenty minutes left to play.
Despite protests from Troost-Ekong and Onuachu, Dennis took the spot-kick but saw his effort expertly stopped by goalkeeper Rui Patrício.
The Selecao then went up the other end moments later to net a third through Gonçalo Ramos after the Nigerian defence went to sleep.
Veteran playmaker João Mário added a fourth in the 78th minute to seal the win in their first-ever meeting with the three-time African champions.
