Joao Felix gives Portugal winning start
Jorge Jesus got his Portugal tenure up and running with a win as the defending Nations League champion began its 2026-2027 campaign with a 1-0 win over Wales.
Joao Felix struck the decisive blow in the first half at Estadio Jose Alvalade, though Wales had more than enough chances to at least claim a point away from home.
Portugal started brightly as Cristiano Ronaldo's first sight of goal saw him drag a shot wide, before Vitinha and Joao Felix had their efforts blocked by Wales's retreating defence.
The host had to wait until the 22nd minute for its first shot on target, and it resulted in a goal. Nuno Mendes skipped beyond Ethan Ampadu before laying the ball off to Joao Felix, who took a touch before seeing his attempt nestle into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Ronaldo, in his quest to reach 1,000 career goals, then volleyed just wide before his tame effort after being found by Joao Felix was comfortably held by Danny Ward.
Portugal should have doubled the lead four minutes into the second half, but Ronaldo somehow turned Ruben Neves' cross over the bar, and he thought he had got his goal when he raced onto Bruno Fernandes's defence-splitting pass, only for it to be ruled out after a VAR check for offside.
Wales spurned a glorious chance to draw level when Brennan Johnson ghosted in behind the Portugal backline and lofted an effort onto the crossbar, with Lewis Koumas' attempt on the rebound blocked off the line by Ruben Dias.
Daniel James and Mendes then fired wide at either end before substitute Goncalo Ramos stung the palms of Ward, with Portugal able to weather the Wales storm in the minutes that remained, getting themselves up and running in the Nations League.
João Félix Sequeira
Portugal
