Mexico and Portugal played out a 0-0 draw at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday in a friendly to ​mark the stadium’s reopening ahead of the World Cup.

The match doubled ‌as a test event for the revamped stadium, drawing a festive crowd eager to sample the atmosphere ahead of the June 11 to July 19 global soccer showpiece, which ​Mexico is co-hosting with the U.S. and Canada.

“It’s the best possible ​scenario, as I’ve said; to play here, you’ve got to have ⁠guts, because the fans are demanding and want to win and see ​good football,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre told reporters.

“The players gave it their all ​right to the end against Portugal, who are not an easy team. They’re a top-10 side, a really solid team.”

Portugal’s Joao Felix went close in the 14th minute before Goncalo ​Ramos struck the post midway through the first half.

The visitors continued to ​look the more dangerous side after the break, with Bruno Fernandes firing just wide.

Tensions briefly ‌flared ⁠between Pedro Neto and Jesus Gallardo, while the introduction of Toluca’s Portuguese striker Paulinho was met with loud cheers from the home crowd.

“I think we had 10 shots on goal, which isn’t far off what we were aiming for,” ​Portugal coach Roberto Martinez ​said.

“What isn’t good ⁠is the number of shots on target; we lacked accuracy.

“Success or failure isn’t just about the score. There are ​many more factors at play these days. I think that, ​after ⁠90 minutes, the team is better prepared for the World Cup.”

Mexico almost claimed a late winner through substitute Armando Gonzalez but the forward’s header went wide.

Mexico, who ⁠were booed ​by sections of the crowd at the ​final whistle, face Belgium in another friendly on Tuesday, while Portugal take on the United States the ​same day.

-Reuters

Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos in action with Mexico’s Erik Lira REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez 

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Amid the controversy over Senegal being stripped of the Africa Cup of ​Nations title and Morocco being declared winners, the international debut of Issa Diop on ‌Friday proved something of an irony as well as a public relations coup.

The Fulham defender was born in France and played for the country at the Under-21 level, but on Thursday had his application to switch nationality to Morocco approved by ​world football’s governing body FIFA and was immediately drafted into the starting line-up for the 1-1 ​draw against Ecuador in Madrid.

Diop, whose father is Senegalese and mother from Morocco, ⁠had previously rejected overtures from both countries to play for them while holding out hope he might ​represent France.

The 29-year-old said several times he wanted to play for Les Bleus, but with no call-up ​from France coach Didier Deschamps, he has now taken up the opportunity to possibly play at the World Cup for Morocco.

“I was very happy to play in a team with a lot of good players, and I think I’ve made ​a good choice,” Diop said after Friday’s match.

Diop had talks with Morocco’s new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi ​and Moroccan Federation President Faouzi Lekjaa.

“They explained their vision to me, and I was taken in with open arms by ‌a ⁠cheerful group of players with a great atmosphere in the camp,” he said.

The North Africans have a track record of assiduously courting players with links to the country who they believe can improve their national team, but this is the first tug-of-war over player loyalty with another African country they have won.

Senegal ​also draw heavily on ​their diaspora in France, ⁠and the 28-man squad which won the Cup of Nations in Morocco in January featured 12 French-born players.

Senegal this week formally contested the decision of the ​Confederation of African Football’s Appeal Board to take the title away from them.

They were ​ruled to ⁠have forfeited the final in Rabat on January 18 because they walked off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco, but have now referred the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The ⁠posturing between ​the two countries continued on Friday when Senegal held a press ​conference ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Peru in front of a banner that read “Champions of Africa”.

They are expected to display the ​Cup of Nations trophy to supporters ahead of the match at the Stade de France.

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Iran in an international friendly concluded on Friday in Belek, Turkey, boosting confidence ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.

In a match played against the backdrop of geopolitical tension surrounding the Iranian team’s World Cup preparations, Nigeria showed greater composure in key moments to emerge deserved winners.

The Super Eagles took the lead in the first half after a lively start, through Moses Simon in the 7^th minute.

Nigeria doubled the lead through Akor Adams in the 51^st minute. Iran reduced the deficit in the 67^th minute through Medhi Taremi.

The encounter was Nigeria’s first meeting with Iran since their goalless draw at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and it provided an important test for the technical crew as they assess player combinations and tactical options.

The match also carried added attention following Iran’s pre-game protest gesture, where players wore black armbands and held schoolbags in solidarity with victims of a recent conflict-related incident.

For Nigeria, the result offers a positive platform as preparations continue, with another friendly against Jordan scheduled in the coming days. The win is expected to strengthen morale within the squad while giving the coaching crew clearer insight into the team’s readiness for future challenges.

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