Portugal had no issue without Cristiano Ronaldo as they breezed past World Cup hosts United States, extending the Americans’ losing streak against European opposition to eight.
Francisco Trincão broke the deadlock eight minutes before half-time before João Félix doubled their lead near the hour-mark, with the Selecao dealing the US another reality check after their thrashing at the hands of Belgium.
US star Christian Pulisic was moved from a wing to the top of the attack but failed to convert a pair of good scoring chances. Pulisic, who played only the first half, is scoreless in eight national team games dating to November 2024 and in 12 games with AC Milan since 28 December.
The US have been outscored 22 to 6 during their losing streak against Europe and are winless against the continent in 10 matches since 2021.
Before a pro-US crowd of 72,297 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Portugal went ahead after American midfielder Weston McKennie knocked a hard-to-control pass from Alex Freeman to Vitinha, who played a through ball to Bruno Fernandes. As defenders Chris Richards and Auston Trusty converged on the midfielder, he dropped a backheel pass to Trincão, who took a touch and slotted it past Matt Freese and inside the far post for his third international goal.
Félix scored his 12th international goal following Fernandes’ corner kick. Left unmarked just outside the penalty area, Félix sent a half-volley in on two bounces off the far post.
Freese was back in goal after his streak of 12 straight starts ended when former number one goalkeeper Matt Turner played in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Belgium.
Preparing for a World Cup group with Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, Portugal were missing captain and star attraction Ronaldo due to a hamstring injury, though Roberto Martinez has indicated he is likely to return next week.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino announces his World Cup squad on 26 May, and the Americans play their last warm-ups against Senegal and Germany.
They open the World Cup on 12 June against Australia, before facing Paraguay a week later and close the group stage against Turkey on 25 June.
