Portugal beats Wales 1-0 as João Félix opens Jorge Jesus era

João Félix scored in the 21st minute as Portugal opened its Nations League campaign with a win over Wales in Lisbon, Clarín reported. The goal came after Nuno Mendes carried the ball forward and found Félix outside the box. Félix finished with a right-footed shot.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s night

Cristiano Ronaldo captained Portugal and played 67 minutes. He took seven shots but did not score. The video assistant referee, or VAR, ruled out his second-half goal for offside, according to Clarín. Ronaldo also tried a free kick that did not beat the wall.

The match gave Portugal the result it needed, but the attack produced little separation. TN listed Portugal with 57% possession and one shot on target, compared with 43% possession and no shots on target for Wales. That contrast, between Ronaldo’s repeated attempts and Portugal’s limited total on target, captures how narrow the game remained.

Jorge Jesus starts with a win

The victory was Jorge Jesus’ first as Portugal’s coach. He replaced Roberto Martínez after the 2026 World Cup, Clarín reported. Informador had said before the match that Jesus intended to keep much of the group that played at the World Cup rather than overhaul the lineup immediately.

Portugal moved level with Norway at the top of Group A4 after Norway defeated Denmark 3-2. Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway, while Oscar Bobb added the other goal. Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Højlund scored for Denmark, according to Eurosport.

Portugal’s next match

Portugal’s next game is against Norway on Sunday at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium, while Wales will face Denmark at Parken Stadium, TN reported. The meeting with Norway puts Ronaldo’s Portugal against a team led by Haaland, who scored twice in the group’s other opening match.

For Portugal supporters, the immediate payoff is three points and a clean sheet. The team will need more attacking output against Norway if it wants to take sole control of Group A4.