Bruno Fernandes grabbed a goal and an assist as Portugal stepped up their World Cup preparations with a narrow 2-1 win over Chile in a feisty friendly at Estadio Nacional. 

Rafael Leao and Chile's Ivan Roman were both sent off before the break, but second-half strikes from Goncalo Guedes and Fernandes sealed the win for Roberto Martinez's side. 

Portugal came close to opening the scoring twice early on, with Ruben Dias' header brilliantly saved by Lawrence Vigouroux, before Leao cannoned his shot against the post. 

Cristiano Ronaldo then thought he had given Portugal the lead nine minutes before the break, but after finishing coolly under Vigouroux, his strike was ruled out for offside. 

However, both sides were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time.

After an initial altercation between Felipe Faundez and Joao Cancelo, players from both sides were involved in a needless scuffle, with Leao and Roman both raising their hands to each other, resulting in their dismissals. 

Ronaldo was substituted at the break, and it was his replacement who gave Portugal the lead in the 58th minute. Fernandes' sensational, defence-splitting pass picked out Guedes, who poked the ball into the bottom-right corner. 

And the Manchester United skipper capped a fine individual display with a goal 15 minutes from time, sweeping a curling finish beyond Vigouroux from the edge of the area. 

Chile threatened a comeback in second-half stoppage time when Lucas Cepeda's excellent left-footed shot flashed past Rui Silva, but Portugal were able to hold on for the win. 

Fernandes assists yet again as Ronaldo takes a back seat

Fresh from breaking the Premier League record for assists with 21 in 2025-26, Fernandes carried over his sensational club form onto the international stage.

Portugal will be hoping the United midfielder will continue to shine when their World Cup campaign begins on June 17 against DR Congo. 

Along with scoring his 29th goal for Portugal, Fernandes finished with team-high totals for chances created (four), passes in the final third (29) and crosses (seven), while only Ronaldo (three) had more shots than his two. 

Ronaldo showed flashes of what he can offer Portugal in what will be his sixth appearance at the World Cup, though it remains to be seen whether he will be a starter for his nation, with his cause not helped by Guedes' instant impact off the bench. 

Portugal still have one more pre-tournament friendly against Nigeria next Wednesday, and it will be interesting to see whether Ronaldo is selected to start from the beginning. 

But Martinez will be pleased with the way that his side performed here, despite seeing Leao sent off after a moment of madness. Portugal finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.57 from their 18 shots to Chile's measly 0.36 from their eight attempts.