Portugal Beat Chile 2-1 in World Cup Warm-Up as Bruno Fernandes and Guedes Strike

Portugal are done preparing. As of June 7, 2026, Roberto Martínez's side have played their last tune-up before the World Cup, beating Chile 2-1 at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Oeiras . Gonçalo Guedes opened the scoring. Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead. Chile pulled one back in stoppage time. The storyline that lingers, though, is a red card for Rafael Leão.

The result extends a strong run (as of June 7, 2026). Over their last 10 national-team matches, Portugal have won 6, drawn 3, and lost 1, scoring 26 goals and conceding 10 .

Now the clock counts down to June 17 and Group K (as of June 7, 2026).

How the match unfolded

The first half was tight, tense, and ended badly. Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside. Rúben Dias was denied by Chile goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux from a header . Portugal controlled the ball — they finished the match with 62% possession and 18 total shots — but could not break through before the break (as of June 7, 2026).

Then came the flashpoint. Rafael Leão and Chile's Iván Román were both sent off at the end of the first half following a heated scuffle . It forced Martínez into a significant tactical reshuffle at half-time .

The reshuffle worked. Gonçalo Guedes broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, finishing clinically after an assist from Rúben Neves to make it 1-0 . Bruno Fernandes then doubled the advantage in the 75th minute with a powerful strike, assisted by Francisco Conceição . Portugal were in full control.

Chile refused to go quietly. Lucas Cepeda pulled a goal back in the 90th minute, assisted by Felipe Méndez . It was not enough. Final score: 2-1.

The Leão question

The red card is the headline Martínez would rather not have. Leão had 0 national-team minutes over the last 12 months but returned to the squad with 2,063 club minutes and 10 goals for AC Milan this season. His dismissal in a friendly — not a competitive match — should not carry a World Cup suspension, but it raises questions about discipline and temperament heading into a group stage where composure matters (as of June 7, 2026).

Martínez has cover. Pedro Neto has logged 4,837 club minutes with 16 goals and 10 assists at Chelsea. Trincão has 4,167 club minutes, 11 goals, and 14 assists at Sporting CP. Francisco Conceição has contributed 7 goals and 5 assists in 2,923 minutes at Juventus. The attacking depth is real (as of June 7, 2026).

Ronaldo's quiet night

Cristiano Ronaldo started but the stat sheet reads zero national-team goals and zero assists over the last 12 months. His club form at Al-Nassr tells a different story — 36 goals in 3,310 minutes across 40 appearances. The disallowed offside goal against Chile was a reminder that he still finds the positions. Whether Martínez starts him against DR Congo or holds him in reserve is one of the tournament's most-watched decisions (as of June 7, 2026).

The full 26-player squad

Portugal's official 26-player squad, announced on May 19, 2026:

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Group K schedule

Portugal play all three group matches in the United States:

The other Group K matches:

What the form line says

Recent results paint Portugal as one of the tournament's form sides. A 2-0 away win over the USA in March showed they can handle hostile conditions on North American soil . A 9-1 demolition of Armenia underlined the attacking depth. The only loss in the last 10 was a 2-0 defeat away to the Republic of Ireland. The draw at home to Spain — a 2-2 in June 2025 — proved they can compete with the top tier.

Portugal also won the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League and sit fifth in the FIFA world rankings heading into the tournament .

When does Portugal play their first World Cup 2026 match?

Portugal open Group K against DR Congo on June 17 at NRG Stadium in Houston . Their second match is against Uzbekistan on June 23 at the same venue. The group closer against Colombia takes place on June 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Who scored in Portugal's 2-1 win over Chile?

Gonçalo Guedes scored the opener in the 58th minute, assisted by Rúben Neves . Bruno Fernandes added the second in the 75th minute, set up by Francisco Conceição . Chile's Lucas Cepeda scored a consolation in the 90th minute.

What happened with Rafael Leão's red card?

Leão was sent off at the end of the first half alongside Chile's Iván Román after a scuffle . The dismissal forced Roberto Martínez into a tactical reshuffle at half-time. Because it was a friendly, the red card should not carry into the World Cup group stage, but it put a mark on an otherwise positive final preparation.

How many players did Portugal call up for the World Cup 2026?

Roberto Martínez named a 26-player squad on May 19, 2026. The roster features players from 10 different club leagues, with a strong PSG contingent — Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, and Gonçalo Ramos all represent the French club.

Who are the key players to watch for Portugal at the World Cup?

Bruno Fernandes leads creatively with 23 club assists this season. Pedro Neto brings pace and production — 16 goals and 10 assists in 4,837 club minutes at Chelsea. In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo's 36 club goals and João Félix's 24 goals and 15 assists give Martínez options few other squads can match (as of June 7, 2026).

See the projected squad
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