Another dramatic night in Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable career unfolded almost like a comic book. His number appeared on the fourth official’s board in the 67th minute, prompting him to remove the captain’s armband before leaving the field to widespread applause, apart from the travelling Wales fans.
Referee Donatas Rumsas urged him to make a quicker exit, while Ronaldo was likely reflecting on several opportunities that had slipped away. He missed from close range early in the second half and later had a goal ruled out after moving offside before receiving Bruno Fernandes’s pass. His trademark celebration was ultimately in vain, even if the home crowd remained devoted to him.
Portugal eventually opened their Nations League title defence with a narrow win, secured by João Felix. The Al-Nassr forward’s first-half effort took a deflection from the edge of the penalty area and beat Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward.
Several Wales players had seen little recent action, yet the visitors nearly found a late equaliser. Brennan Johnson struck the crossbar before Rúben Dias made a crucial intervention to stop Lewis Koumas, whose display again impressed Craig Bellamy. Wales expended enormous physical energy, and their head coach later drew on his playing experience to explain the mental strain of facing top-level opponents. “I needed an ice pack on my head,” Bellamy said.
Attention naturally centred on Ronaldo as he played in Lisbon for the first time since the previous October. The match took place at the José Alvalade Stadium, where he first emerged as a teenager. The 41-year-old started as Jorge Jesus had promised, but despite talk of a fresh era, revised tactics and a new approach following Roberto Martínez’s departure, the performance felt largely familiar.
Rúben Neves, another player based in Saudi Arabia, replaced João Neves in Portugal’s three-man midfield. It was the only alteration from the side eliminated by Spain in the last 16 of the World Cup in Dallas.
Ronaldo registered only 27 touches, fewer than any other Portuguese outfield starter. He looked skyward in frustration after wasting the hosts’ clearest chance to increase their advantage four minutes after the interval.
Neves delivered an inviting cross from the right, but the unmarked Ronaldo sent the ball over the bar off his left shin from inside the six-yard area. Sunday’s match in Norway will provide another chance for him to move closer to his target of 1,000 career goals. Jesus explained that he replaced the forward with 25 minutes remaining because the team needed fresh energy, adding that the substitution had already been planned. He also acknowledged that some important players had performed below their usual standard.
Jesus knows Ronaldo well. The coach previously had two spells with Benfica, spent three years in charge of Sporting and worked with the striker at Al-Nassr last season. Before this match, he defended Ronaldo and described him as a national symbol. That status is clear throughout Lisbon, particularly in official Portugal shops around Praça da Figueira, where supporters can find an extensive range of merchandise bearing his CR7 brand.
Bellamy expected Wales to endure difficult periods against a lineup featuring five Champions League winners and three Ballon d’Or nominees, although his team began with confidence. Wales lacked comparable depth and were without injured key players, including Harry Wilson and first-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Ben Cabango’s comfortable header was their only first-half attempt, and goalkeeper Diogo Costa was rarely required to intervene.
Ronaldo passed up four promising opportunities during the opening half. The clearest arrived from roughly 12 yards and left him kicking at the turf in frustration. He then sent a free-kick into the Welsh defensive wall. When Fernandes created his first opening amid loud encouragement from the home support, a heavy touch caused the ball to bounce away from his left foot. Later, he also volleyed wide from a difficult angle.
Wales nevertheless produced a courageous display. Jay Dasilva excelled at left-back, while Ben Davies organised the defence on only his second appearance of the season. The experienced international’s previous minutes for Tottenham had come against Charlton’s reserve side in the Carabao Cup. Ward had also made just one appearance, playing for Wrexham in the same competition six weeks earlier.
Portugal attempted 23 shots but directed only five on target, leaving Wales with reasons for optimism despite the narrow loss. Bellamy said he fully understood the calibre and enormous value of the opposition squad, but felt his own team still had further room to improve. He expressed immense pride in the courage and determination shown by his players.
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