Sports22 September, 20262 min read
Joao Felix Scores As Portugal Beats Wales 1-0 In UEFA Nations League
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Joao Felix scored a deflected first-half goal securing 1-0 win over Wales. Portugal started their Nations League title defense with a victory in Lisbon.
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Portugal edge Wales
Portugal opened its 2026-28 UEFA Nations League title defence with a 1-0 win over Wales at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, with Joao Felix scoring the decisive goal.
Craig Bellamy said Wales were forced to suffer in their narrow 1-0 defeat in Portugal, adding, "It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot,".
Jorge Jesus began his tenure as Portugal's new manager with a winning start, and Cristiano Ronaldo saw his effort ruled out by VAR.
Wales faced a short turnaround to their second League A fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday (17:00 BST), while Bellamy said his injury-hit squad are capable of improving.
Ronaldo, VAR and chances
Ben Davies told BBC Sport, "On another day it could have gone another way," after Wales fell to an opening 1-0 Nations League defeat to Portugal. Bruno Fernandes said Portugal controlled the game and had a lot of chances, telling BBC Sport, "We controlled it and had a lot of chances but were not capable of scoring more."
Sky Sports said Portugal deserved their victory by having 22 shots to five, and it described Felix's deflected first-half effort as the difference in Lisbon. The match also featured Ronaldo being substituted after 67 minutes, and Sky Sports said he ended the night with an xG of 1.32, more than Wales' entire team.
Next fixtures and context
Portugal now turn their attention to a showdown against Norway in Oslo on September 27, as they look to build early momentum in group play. Wales prepare for their second League A fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday (17:00 BST), after Bellamy said there is "more for us" to take from the defeat.
Al Jazeera set out the Nations League 2026-27 format, listing League A Group A4 as Portugal, Denmark, Norway and Wales. Al Jazeera also said UEFA expects the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League to be linked to qualification for UEFA EURO 2028 in the United Kingdom and Ireland.