João Félix strike gives Portugal narrow Nations League win over Wales as Ronaldo misses chances

Portugal edge Wales 1-0 in Nations League as Félix nets and Ronaldo frustrates

João Félix’s first-half strike from the edge of the box was enough for Portugal to beat Wales 1-0 in a Nations League clash at the José Alvalade Stadium, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-anticipated homecoming in Lisbon ended in frustration after a series of missed chances.

Nuno Mendes moved infield and found Félix 20 yards from goal, whose shot took a nick off Wales captain Ben Davies before beating Danny Ward. The goal was the only one of the night despite a flurry of Portuguese attacks.

Ronaldo’s night of near misses

Ronaldo started for the 41-year-old captain as promised by Jorge Jesus, returning to Lisbon for the first time since last October. The occasion carried a comic-strip feel around the stadium, with Ronaldo-mania omnipresent in the city and a universal ovation when his No 7 went up on the fourth official’s board in the 67th minute.

He left the pitch after removing the captain’s armband, his hair glazed copper, still ruminating on missed opportunities. The night included a sitter from a few yards early in the second half, a disallowed goal after VAR ruled him offside when meeting a Bruno Fernandes pass beyond Ben Cabango, and a shanked left-shin effort from an unmarked position in the six-yard box after a Rúben Neves cross.

In the first half alone Ronaldo passed up four decent chances, including a 12-yard effort and a chance created by Fernandes where his touch was rusty and the ball bobbled off his left foot. A later volley from an awkward angle at the back post also went wide. The grandiose “Siu” celebration went unused, though fans in the pocket of Wales supporters offered a contrast.

Wales fightback and team notes

Wales, thin in squad depth with Harry Wilson and Karl Darlow absent through injury, were valiant. Brennan Johnson hit the crossbar and Rúben Dias desperately denied Lewis Koumas, while substitute Kieffer Moore sliced wide a late opening. Jay Dasilva was excellent at left-back and Ben Davies, a Wales centurion on his second appearance of the season, marshalled the defence.

Portugal made only one change from their World Cup last-16 exit to Spain in Dallas, with Rúben Neves replacing João Neves in the three-man midfield alongside two other Al-Nassr-based players. Diogo Costa was untroubled in goal, while Craig Bellamy’s side struggled to retain possession despite the manager’s emphasis on doing so.

Portugal should have extended their lead, but Wales will take confidence from a slender defeat against a side boasting five Champions League winners.