Lisbon opened Portugal’s UEFA Nations League 2026-27 campaign with a narrow home win, as João Félix’s first-half strike gave Jorge Jesus a successful first match in charge of the national side. Portugal beat Wales 1-0 at the José Alvalade Stadium, controlling long spells but leaving the result in doubt until the final whistle.
Quick facts
- Portugal 1-0 Wales at the José Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon.
- João Félix scored the only goal in the 21st minute.
- The match was Jorge Jesus’s first as Portugal coach.
- Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances but did not score.
- Portugal collected their opening three points in the 2026-27 Nations League.
Portugal set the rhythm from the opening minutes, pressing Wales back and repeatedly working the ball into attacking areas. Their early warning came after nine minutes, when Félix supplied Cristiano Ronaldo, whose finish drifted narrowly off target.
The breakthrough followed a Welsh error while playing out from the back. Nuno Mendes won possession and quickly found Félix outside the penalty area, where the Al-Nassr forward made room before driving a powerful shot into the net.
It was the first Portugal goal of the Jorge Jesus era, and it proved sufficient despite the hosts’ inability to add a second before half-time. Ronaldo, wearing the captain’s armband, found chances but could not move closer to the 980-goal mark.
Wales pushed higher after the interval in pursuit of an equaliser, creating a more open contest in Lisbon. Portugal continued to find room on the break and in transition, but their finishing again prevented them from putting the match beyond reach.
No further goal arrived. Félix left as the decisive figure on a night that gave Portugal a composed if unspectacular start to their new Nations League journey, while Ronaldo’s wait for his next international goal continues.
