LEIRIA, June 11 — Portugal beat Nigeria 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up yesterday, with goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao making up for an off night for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea forward Neto opened the scoring midway through the first half, but Nigeria levelled through Akor Adams before half-time.
Juventus winger Conceicao restored Portugal’s lead 15 minutes from the end in Leiria as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo wasted a number of good chances.
At 41, Ronaldo will be heading to his record sixth World Cup, but there are concerns in some quarters that his presence will prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing.
With his full squad available following the arrival of the four players who won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, Martinez started midfielders Vitinha and Joao Neves alongside Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes.
Portugal leave on Friday to set up base camp in Palm Beach, Florida.
They open their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Houston against the Democratic Republic of Congo, before facing Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. — AFP
They leave a lasting impression – these comical, gregarious shorebirds.
Black skimmers gather in large social colonies on flat, sandy Atlantic beaches. Lined up, each one facing into the wind. As I sit and watch, I’m struck by the effort in scattering, the whole flock taking to the air, swerving, banking, veering on long wings each time beach walkers pass through. It wouldn’t take a significant arc in a person’s path to avoid them and allow them to rest, to conserve their precious energy.
Their brilliantly colored orange and black bills, with the top abruptly shorter than the bottom, are their hallmark.
With this feature, they are uniquely equipped for “tactile foraging.” They skim the surface of the ocean with their lower bill stuck straight down into the water.
Image from birdz-world.blogspot.com
When they feel a fish hit their bill, they snap their mouth shut with such speed as to catch the minnow without slowing their flight. Just a quick nod of their head as they grab their prey. Have you ever tried to catch a minnow in your hands? Then you can appreciate their extraordinary feats.
Black skimmers’ long, forked wings allow for efficient gliding. Their cat-like, vertical pupils enable them to see through the glare of the sun and in the dark of night. If you ever have the opportunity to watch a skimmer, take the time to be awe-struck.
If you’re interested in purchasing or licensing any images you see here, please email me at SNewenham at exploringnaturephotos.com, and I’ll make it happen.
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