Bruno Fernandes and Portugal drew a blank against Mexico as they continue their preparations for World Cup 2026
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 28: Bruno Fernandes of Portugal reacts during an international friendly between Mexico and Portugal at Banorte Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes captained Portugal against Mexico(Image: Agustin Cuevas, Getty Images)
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Portugal drew a blank in their latest international fixture, with Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes powerless to conjure up a win against Mexico. The midfielder was started with the captain's armband for the first time in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva. The Selecao were held to a 0-0 stalemate at Estadio Azteca to kick off a March double-header as boss Roberto Martinez assessed his available options.
Martinez was missing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo in Mexico City, though Portugal were able to put nine past Armenia in their last game without the former United star. There was no shortage of attacking quality on display, with Fernandes starting as a 10 behind Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Goncalo Guedes and Pedro Neto all getting 45 minutes apiece.
Fernandes, who boasts more international appearances and strikes than any other player in the March selection, toiled away without managing to help his side find a breakthrough. The game ended in a relatively uneventful draw with plenty for the manager to think about.
Portugal and Fernandes don't have long to wait until they return to action in search of a better result against the United States. Here's what the Portuguese press had to say following the weekend stalemate.
Record
While the fixture may not have been the most thrilling spectacle, Record acknowledged Fernandes was involved in one of the most threatening moments of the match. "The best chance came in the 27th minute when Goncalo Ramos hit the post after a great assist from Bruno Fernandes," they wrote.
There were also some wider concerns, with Fernandes and his teammates struggling to break down the opposition. "It's true that Mexico dropped deeper, Portugal had more possession, but without much practical effect," the Record write-up continued.
Portugal can expect to dominate possession against their World Cup group stage rivals, having been drawn alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia and the winner of the play-off between Jamaica and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Another friendly against the United States - who conceded five against Belgium last time out - should hand Portugal's attacking players another opportunity to remind manager Martinez why they deserve a place on the plane for the World Cup.
O Jogo
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 28: Goncalo Ramos of Portugal controls the ball whilst under pressure from Erik Lira of Mexico during an international friendly between Mexico and Portugal at Banorte Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Goncalo Ramos spurned Portugal's best chace(Image: Manuel Velasquez, Getty Images)
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O Jogo similarly acknowledged there wasn't a great deal to write home about regarding the match itself. Nevertheless, the publication carried quotes from Roberto Martinez concerning the absence of midfield lynchpin Vitinha.
"Vitinha is an excellent player. He knows how to control the ball, defend the game with the ball, and take the game where we need it to go," the manager said. "And today we wanted to see if we could see Portugal controlling the game without Vitinha. And I was very pleased. But yes, it's true that he's a key player for us."
The publication also described it as "noteworthy" that Fernandes skippered his nation from the off in the absence of Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva. It marked his first start as captain on his 86th cap, despite being no stranger to wearing the armband at club level.
FIFA.com
FIFA's Portuguese-language website highlighted the opportunity Fernandes created for Ramos. "The best opportunity of the first half came from his feet," the report stated when discussing the United man.
Mexico-based striker Paulinho made his first senior Portugal outing in more than five years, prompting a significant response from the crowd at the Azteca. Yet the absence of control and cutting edge may have troubled Fernandes and his teammates.
"Not even the boom from Paulinho's return was able to get the national team to break the deadlock, and both teams went home with a feeling of frustration at the result," FIFA's write-up added. "Portugal and Mexico return to the field next Tuesday (31) to face the United States and Belgium, respectively."
Jornal de Noticias
Another publication, Jornal de Noticias, also noted there was little to write home about. They likewise acknowledged Fernandes' first-half involvement but framed it within the context of a lacklustre affair.
"In the reopening of the legendary Azteca Stadium, only one real chance was recorded in the first 45 minutes, when Bruno Fernandes made a first-time pass to Gonçalo Ramos, whose shot was stopped by the post," their report stated. "At a slow pace, the Portuguese side managed to dominate possession, but without creating any clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.
"The second half was no different. Coach Roberto Martínez made seven substitutions at halftime to refresh the Portuguese team's ideas, but the Portuguese continued to struggle to find the back of the Mexican net. "