Portugal defeated Wales 1-0 in their Nations League opener in Lisbon, with João Félix scoring the decisive goal while Cristiano Ronaldo remained scoreless.

Portugal secured a 1-0 victory against Wales in their Nations League opening match at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. The game’s only goal came in the 22nd minute from João Félix, whose strike from the edge of the box deflected off Wales captain Ben Davies and into the net. The match marked the debut of Jorge Jesus as Portugal's manager, with Cristiano Ronaldo earning his 234th international cap.

Ronaldo's Performance in Lisbon

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in Lisbon for the first time since October, started the match but struggled to convert his opportunities. He missed several chances, including a notable opportunity early in the second half, and had a goal ruled out for offside following a VAR intervention. Ronaldo was substituted in the 67th minute, ending his night with an expected goals (xG) rating of 1.32. Despite his lack of goals, he remained a central figure, receiving an ovation from the crowd upon his departure.

Wales' Defensive Effort and Opportunities

Wales manager Craig Bellamy acknowledged the difficulty of the match, noting that his team faced one of the best sides in the competition. While Portugal dominated with 22 shots compared to Wales' five, the visitors remained competitive throughout the contest. Brennan Johnson hit the crossbar, and defender Rúben Dias was required to make a crucial intervention to deny Lewis Koumas an equalizer. Ben Davies, the Wales captain, expressed disappointment with the result but noted that the team showed resilience against a high-level opponent.