Portugal opened their campaign in the new edition of the UEFA Nations League with a 1–0 victory over Wales at the Estádio José Alvalade, as Cristiano Ronaldo started in attack but failed to find the scoresheet.
The fixture marked Jorge Jesus’s debut in charge of the Portuguese national team. The head coach deployed Ronaldo to lead the line, supported by João Félix and Pedro Neto, with Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha anchoring the midfield.
João Félix scored the match’s solitary goal in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on Portugal’s early dominance to give the defending Nations League champions an advantage they maintained through to the final whistle.
Ronaldo presented an active presence inside the penalty area, firing a low shot saved by the Welsh goalkeeper and netting a strike in the 58th minute that was subsequently disallowed for offside. The Portugal captain was substituted in the closing stages for Gonçalo Ramos, finishing his performance without a goal or an assist.
Despite Portugal’s offensive firepower, the match proved tight and contained, with the hosts generating six total attempts compared to Wales’s four. Wales remained within striking distance until the final minutes before Diogo Costa and his defense secured the clean sheet.
The victory moves Portugal to three points, placing them second in Group 4 behind Norway, who lead on goal difference following a 3–2 win over Denmark. Denmark and Wales remain without points.
Ronaldo and his teammates face a tough test away against Norway on September 27, followed by another away fixture against Denmark on October 1, before hosting Norway on October 4 to close out their fixtures for the current international window.
