Portugal Held By Mexico In Goalless Friendly As Ronaldo Misses Match

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Portugal were unable to break down Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, drawing 0-0 in an international friendly without Cristiano Ronaldo. Roberto Martinez’s side controlled long spells but lacked precision in attack, while Mexico also struggled to create clear chances in a flat contest for both sets of supporters.

Ronaldo missed the match because of a muscle injury, so Martinez turned to Goncalo Ramos as the central striker. Portugal still produced the better openings overall and finished with more shots and higher expected goals, yet both teams managed only one effort on target during the entire match.

Portugal’s clearest moment before half-time involved Ramos after a sharp move down the right. Bruno Fernandes slipped a precise pass into the box on 26 minutes, and Ramos flicked the ball past Raul Rangel but against the goalkeeper’s right post with Rangel beaten.

Fernandes remained Portugal’s key creator in the first period, delivering another dangerous cross that found Ramos. On that occasion, Ramos completely mishit his effort from a promising position. Despite Portugal’s territorial control, each team registered just one shot on target before the break, underlining the lack of cutting edge.

Martinez made seven substitutions at half-time, and the changes disturbed Portugal’s rhythm rather than lifting it. Fernandes went close from long range but missed the target, Joao Cancelo headed a deep cross from Diogo Dalot wide, and Pedro Neto finally forced Rangel into action from a tight angle on the left.

Mexico’s best chance of the second half fell to Armando Gonzalez, who escaped any marker inside the area. Gonzalez met a cross with a stooping header but sent the ball wide of the near post. The missed opportunity summed up Mexico’s display, and boos met both teams when the final whistle sounded.

Portugal vs Mexico international friendly: data and xG overview

Statistically, Portugal still carried more attacking threat, leaving Martinez frustrated by the finishing. Portugal attempted 10 shots and produced 1.39 expected goals, with Ramos responsible for 0.57 of that total but failing with both big openings. Mexico managed seven shots, hit the target once and posted 0.52 expected goals.

The goalless draw highlighted Portugal’s reliance on sharper decision-making in the absence of Ronaldo and showed Mexico’s limited creativity despite home advantage in Mexico City. Both coaching staffs gained information on squad depth, but neither side delivered the attacking quality that the large crowd at the Estadio Azteca expected.