Wales fell to an opening 1-0 Nations League defeat to Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank in Lisbon.

2026/2027 UEFA Nations League

1-0

Match Report 

On an evening when Ronaldo missed a slew of chances and had a second-half effort ruled out by a VAR intervention, it was his Al Nassr team-mate Joao Felix who settled the contest.

Ronaldo was winning cap number 234 after deciding to prolong his international career following a disappointing World Cup, but his contribution ended when substituted after 67 minutes.

The manner of Felix's 22nd-minute goal was cruel on Wales, deflecting off Ben Davies, but it could not be denied that Portugal deserved their victory by having 22 shots to five.

Being pitched into a tough Nations League A group with Portugal, Norway and Denmark was Wales' reward for promotion two years ago.

But boss Craig Bellamy - who was on the brink of leaving in the summer to join Burnley - had welcomed the challenge as an opportunity to improve their seeding for the 2028 European Championship.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

5' Koumas shoots over from close range

9' Ronaldo makes a run down the left and shoots wide

13' Highlight from Portugal vs Wales

16' Highlight from Portugal vs Wales

22' GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Wales (João Félix)

30' Fans in the stands do the wave

35' Ronaldo's free kick is blocked by the wall

37' Ronaldo shoots wide from the left of the box

40' Match Event for Portugal vs Wales

49' Match Event for Portugal vs Wales

59' Ronaldo scores one-on-one, but he is offside

66' Ronaldo shoots in the box, the goalkeeper collects it

66' Ronaldo is subbed off, fans rise to give a standing ovation

71' Yellow Card! Ben Cabango booked

Line-ups

Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Cancelo, Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Diogo Costa, Felix, Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga

Subs: Rui Silva, Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, Dalot, Francisco Trincão, Leao, Nuno Tavares, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, Samuel Soares, Tomás Araújo, João Neves

Wales XI: Ward, Ben Davies, Josh Sheehan, Jay Dasilva, Brooks, Ampadu, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson, Jordan James, Lewis Koumas

Subs: David Cornell, Kieffer Moore, Wes Burns, Daniel James, Tom King, Connor Roberts, Sorba Thomas, Mepham, Mark Harris, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Liam Cullen, Joel Colwill