Portugal v Wales LIVE: Ronaldo doesn’t score but Portugal edge to Nations League win

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(PA)

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

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 teammate 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.

Cristiano Ronaldo draws blank as Wales edged out by Portugal in Nations League

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

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 23 shots to five.

Luke Baker24 September 2026 22:16

WATCH: Ronaldo misses sitter

Cristiano Ronaldo was hunting a 980th goal of his career but couldn’t quite find it.

Here was a golden opportunity he missed

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:55

WATCH: Joao Felix’s goal decides it

Here is Joao Felix’s first-half goal that was ultimately the difference in Lisbon

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:48

FULL-TIME! Portugal 1-0 Wales

And there’s the final whistle! Plenty of positives for Wales to take as they weren’t blown away by a star-studded Portugal but couldn’t fashion a goal.

Joao Felix’s first-half goal was enough in the end. Cristiano Ronaldo huffed and puffed but had a terrible miss from six yards and saw a strike ruled out for offside.

All three points for Portugal though and Jorge Jesus begins his tenure with a win.

(Reuters)
Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:40

Portugal 1-0 Wales, 90+5 mins

Wales counter-attack from the corner and they briefly had a three on three but Johnson’s pass to Thomas is slippy and his attempted loft through is then poor. Portugal survive.

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:38

Portugal 1-0 Wales, 90+3 mins

Lovely skill by Dalot with a backheel in the box that finds Felix but Davies blocks his shot well. Out for a corner.

The corner is played short and then eventually whipped in, where Williams is forced to head behind again. Time running out and the ball at the wrong end of the pitch for Wales.

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:37

Portugal 1-0 Wales, 90 mins

Was that a chance? Moore gets some space down the left and then takes a shade too long to gets his cross in.

Tries to slip in Dan James at the back stick but it’s too far in front of him and he’s got no chance of getting there, even though he was unmarked at the back post. Moore acknowledges he should have done better.

Couple of late subs for Portugal as Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo are replaced by Joao Neves and Diogo Dalot.

Five minutes of added time. Could Wales…?

(PA)
Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:34

Portugal 1-0 Wales, 88 mins

Wales put a free-kick in the box, aiming for Moore, but Portugal head it away. Just a couple of minutes left – Wales have kept themselves in this game really well, can they find an equaliser?

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:31

Portugal 1-0 Wales, 85 mins

Ramos gets a shot away but it’s straight at Ward, who comfortably catches it.

Wales are generally starting to put some pressure on though. Thomas surges forward but his cross can’t find a teammate in the box.

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:28

Portugal 1-0 Wales, 82 mins

Veiga and Tavares don’t communicate, Wales get a cross in towards Moore and Dias does brilliantly to block it for a corner.

The cross is put in and Ampadu gets a header on it but it’s harmlessly wide of the left post.

Luke Baker24 September 2026 21:25