Mexico 0-0 Portugal: Friendly ends goalless with Ronaldo absent

Portugal failed to find a way through the Mexico defence in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo as Saturday’s international friendly at the Estadio Azteca ended goalless.

With Ronaldo sidelined due to a muscle injury, Roberto Martinez selected Goncalo Ramos to lead the line and he came closest for Portugal, flicking against Raul Rangel’s right-hand post following a lovely pass from Bruno Fernandes in the 26th minute.

Ramos also totally miscued from another good Fernandes centre as the teams were limited to one shot on target apiece in the first half.

The interval brought seven Portugal changes, and the Selecao struggled for intensity in the second period, too.

Their best openings saw Fernandes shoot off-target from distance and Joao Cancelo nod Diogo Dalot’s searching cross wide, while Pedro Neto worked Rangel from a tight angle.

Perhaps the best chance of the half went Mexico’s way, but Armando Gonzalez sent a stooping header wide of the near post while totally unmarked, and many of those in attendance booed the teams off at full-time.

Data Debrief: Selecao misfire in Mexico City

Even without Ronaldo, Portugal have plenty of firepower available to them, so Martinez will be bitterly disappointed that they were held to just two shots on target.

From 10 total attempts, the Selecao tallied 1.39 expected goals (xG), 0.57 of which was contributed by Ramos, who was wayward with both of his efforts from good positions.

Mexico had seven shots, only hit the target once and put up an even worse xG figure, of 0.52.