Portugal coach hails Vitinha as team show resilience in Mexico draw

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez expressed delight with his side’s composure after they battled to a goalless draw against Mexico in Mexico City on Saturday, even without star midfielder Vitinha for the entire first half.

The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker was introduced at half-time and immediately made his presence felt, racking up the second-most touches of any player on the pitch with 74.

He also attempted 70 passes and completed 67 of them, again the second-highest totals of the match. 

Most impressively, no player delivered more balls into the final third than Vitinha, who managed 27 such passes. 

His ability to dictate play and link defence with attack was evident from the moment he stepped onto the field.

Yet Martinez was equally pleased with how Portugal performed during Vitinha’s absence. In the opening 45 minutes, the Europeans created 0.63 expected goals (xG) while restricting Mexico to a mere 0.12 xG, showing clear control and defensive solidity despite missing one of their most creative outlets.

Speaking after the match, the Portuguese boss was full of praise for the 25-year-old. His control, defence on the ball, and taking the game where it needs to go make him exceptional. He’s a key player for us,” Martinez said. 

The coach highlighted Vitinha’s unique blend of technical brilliance, composure under pressure, and tactical intelligence, qualities that have made him indispensable in Portugal’s midfield.

The stalemate served as another important step in Portugal’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup. 

With the tournament drawing closer, the team is using these friendly fixtures to fine-tune their shape, test squad depth, and build confidence against strong opposition. 

Saturday’s result, while not a victory, demonstrated the balance and resilience Martinez is seeking.

Next up, Portugal will face the United States in another friendly encounter. The match offers another chance for the squad to sharpen their attacking edge and for players like Vitinha to continue building match fitness and rhythm. 

As the countdown to the World Cup intensifies, every minute on the pitch (whether from the start or off the bench) is proving valuable for Portugal’s ambitious campaign.