It was a disappointing finish to Ireland's end of season friendlies. Martin O'Neill's lost 5-1 to Portugal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last night. It was 3-0 at the break - Hugo Almeida scored a brace either side of a Richard Keogh own goal. James McClean got the goal for Ireland, his first in a green jersey. Vieirinha and Fabio Coentrao were on target for the Portuguese in the second half and Cristiano Ronaldo played 65 minutes in their final game before the World Cup.
The Portuguese captain, who had missed the earlier warm-up games against Greece and Mexico through a combination of knee and thigh injuries, played a leading role as his side raced into a 3-0 lead on their way to a 5-1 win. Ronaldo had a hand in the third goal, having earlier hit the post with a free-kick, and showed few signs of being hampered by any fitness concerns. However, it was Almeida who took centre-stage, heading Portugal into a second-minute lead and, after Keogh’s own goal had put them further ahead, claiming a second eight minutes before the interval. McClean's first strike for his country on his 23rd senior appearance gave Ireland hope seven minutes after the break, but substitute Vierinha struck 12 minutes from time and Coentrao added a fifth as newcomer Nani produced a superb late cameo performance.
Ireland team: Forde, Kelly, Keogh, Ward, Pearce, McGeady, Hendrick, Meyler, Hoolahan, McClean, Walters.
