Wales suffered their first Nations League loss of the campaign, falling 1-0 to Portugal in Lisbon, while Cristiano Ronaldo endured a night of missed opportunities and a disallowed goal. The Portuguese side, led by Al Nassr teammate João Félix, ultimately broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, a goal that, although it came after a deflection off Wales defender Ben Davies, underscored Portugal's dominance in a match that saw them register 22 shots compared with Wales' five. Ronaldo, who was awarded his 234th cap as he chose to extend his international career after a disappointing World Cup, was unable to influence the outcome.
He was taken off after 67 minutes, having failed to find the back of the net despite several clear chances. One of his attempts was ruled out for off‑side by VAR, and another saw him miss a free‑kick that failed to clear the wall.
By the end of the game, his expected‑goals (xG) figure stood at 1.32, a statistic that exceeded the entire Welsh team's collective xG. The match was a test of Wales' mettle after their promotion to Nations League A two years earlier, placing them in a group with Portugal, Norway and Denmark. Manager Craig Bellamy, who was on the verge of moving to Burnley at the time, welcomed the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity to improve Wales' seeding ahead of the 2028 European Championship qualifiers.
Despite the loss, Bellamy remained upbeat about his side's performance. "Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all generations, not just this one.
You have to plan for him because he's still extremely dangerous, even at his age," Bellamy said. "He's a superstar, and I would love the chance to face him again, but time may be running out." Reflecting on the team's display, Bellamy added, "It was a tough game for us.
We endured a lot and spent the longest period without possession. I think we could have done more with the ball, but I am beyond proud. Many of our players aren't regular starters, yet they gave everything they could.
Their heart and determination shone through, and that's something we can always take as a positive." Stand‑in captain Ben Davies echoed a similar sentiment in his comments to BBC Sport. "On another day the result could have been different. It's disappointing, but we played good football," he said.
"We could have improved, but it's not an easy place to come. There are positives to take from it. We fought, showed guts, and gave a solid performance against a top side. The goal that decided the match was a shot from outside the box that deflected off me.
They had other chances as well. We are more than capable of competing at this level, and I look forward to the next match." Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes also weighed in, describing the encounter as a "very good game" for his side. "We controlled the match and created many chances, but we didn't score as many as we could have. We wanted the three points and we got them," he explained.
"We always have a point to prove and expectations are high. Wales are a strong team; if they were in the Premier League they would need to be at a high level. They gave us problems, but we scored once and kept a clean sheet, which is what matters." The match timeline highlighted Ronaldo's struggles: a missed free‑kick at the 36th minute, a wide volley at 37, his first on‑target shot at 40 (saved comfortably by Danny Ward), a glaring miss from a Ruben Neves cross at 49, and the disallowed goal at 59.
After his substitution at 68 minutes, the Portuguese side continued to press, eventually sealing the win through Félix's early strike. While the result was a setback for Wales, the experience against a world‑class opponent like Portugal provides valuable lessons.
The Welsh squad will return to training with a clearer understanding of the areas that need improvement—particularly ball retention, creating higher‑quality chances, and defensive organization against swift counter‑attacks. Bellamy's emphasis on heart and resilience suggests that the team will focus on building a stronger collective mentality, ensuring that each player, whether a regular starter or a squad member, feels prepared to step up when called upon.
Looking ahead, Wales will aim to bounce back in their next Nations League fixture, using the insights gained from this encounter to refine tactics and boost confidence. The challenge of competing in a top‑tier group will continue to test their progress, but with Bellamy's leadership and the squad's evident determination, there is optimism that they can secure better results and improve their standing ahead of future European Championship qualifying campaigns. For fans, the match also featured a promotional element: a chance to enter the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to those who wish to try their luck.