João Félix’s deflected first-half strike gave Portugal a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon and a winning start to the Jorge Jesus era in the UEFA Nations League.
The Al-Nassr forward finished from around 20 yards in the 22nd minute at Estádio José Alvalade, with Nuno Mendes providing the assist and a deflection off Ben Davies wrong-footing Danny Ward. The result put Portugal on three points in League A Group 4 alongside Norway, who beat Denmark 3-2 on the same night, while Wales opened bottom of the section.
Match facts
- Result: Portugal 1-0 Wales (half-time 1-0)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group 4, Matchday 1
- Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
- Scorers: Portugal - João Félix 22'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Norway v Portugal, Sunday 27 September; Denmark v Wales
Jesus debut, Ronaldo’s Lisbon return
Jesus’s first match as Portugal manager was billed around Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the Portuguese capital, where the 41-year-old began his professional career with Sporting CP. Ronaldo started but could not add to the lead: he missed a close-range volley early in the second half, had a finish ruled out for offside after a VAR check just before the hour, and was substituted in the 67th minute for Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal controlled large stretches — more than 61% possession and 23 shots to five — yet the single goal left the door ajar for Craig Bellamy’s side, promoted from League B in 2024. Rúben Neves, Rúben Dias and others also spurned chances as the hosts failed to kill the contest.
Wales push late
Wales improved after the break and nearly snatched a point. Brennan Johnson struck the crossbar from a tight angle with about 15 minutes left, and Rúben Dias produced a decisive block to deny Lewis Koumas on the rebound. Kieffer Moore later overhit a cross with Dan James waiting in the middle as five minutes of added time slipped away.
Bellamy had warned beforehand that his team would “suffer” at times in Lisbon. They did, but left with encouragement from their late pressure against a side packed with Champions League regulars, and without several injured regulars including Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon.
What happens next
Group 4 resumes on Sunday 27 September 2026: Denmark host Wales, and Norway face Portugal. Jesus will want a more clinical edge after wasting chances in Lisbon; Bellamy’s Wales travel to Denmark looking to turn late promise into their first points of the campaign.