It was a fighting second half performance from Wales which will give them a lot of hope as they now travel to Denmark for the second game in the Nations League on Sunday. The visitors were far more creative and better equipped than many thought, and they nearly pulled it off.

Wales left Lisbon empty-handed as João Félix’s first-half goal proved enough to give Portugal a 1-0 Nations League victory. Félix (below) struck after 22 minutes to settle a contest in which Portugal enjoyed the greater attacking threat but couldn’t put Craig Bellamy’s side away.

Wales started positively and attempted to impose themselves rather than simply retreat against the Nations League holders. As the first half developed, however, Portugal began to find more space and their technical quality increasingly pushed Wales on to the defensive. Completing passes was also an issue for Wales at this point. The breakthrough eventually came through Félix, whose low driven effort gave Danny Ward little chance and left Wales chasing the game. Ben Davies couldn't get close enough to stop the shot. For many at that point it would be a shrug of the shoulders and a ‘told you so’ moment.

Portugal had opportunities to extend their advantage, with Cristiano Ronaldo (below) at the centre of much of their attacking play. The veteran forward couldn’t find the finish though, and later had an effort ruled out for offside as Wales continued to frustrate their hosts. Ward was required to make important interventions, while Ben Davies and Ben Cabango were kept busy by a Portuguese attack capable of punishing the slightest mistake.

For all Portugal’s possession and opportunities, the fact it remained 1-0 gave Wales hope.That hope also came from the stands as over 2,500 of the Red Wall sang throughout the game. Rumours of far more shouldn’t be discounted. That fever pitch flowed down the stands and on to the pitch where we saw a valiant performance from the men in yellow, but as is our place in history, no cigar.

Bellamy’s side showed plenty of determination and organisation, but their biggest problem came when attempting to turn defensive work into a sustained attacking threat. There were promising moments on the break, although Wales couldn’t create the clear opening required to seriously test Diogo Costa. That ultimately separated a competitive performance from a result. Sorba Thomas and Dan James added a rapid change to the attack as Brennan Johnson hit the bar and the follow up somehow wasn’t converted.

Bellamy’s post-match thoughts reflected a Wales side who had competed with one of Europe’s strongest nations but still have areas to improve. At League A level, possession has to be used effectively and the limited attacking opportunities that arrive need to count. Portugal deserved their victory on the balance of play, but Wales ensured it was never comfortable. One goal separated the teams and Bellamy’s players remained in the contest until the final whistle. On that he said, "It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot.
"I think that's the longest we've been in a game without the ball.We could have done more with the ball but I'm beyond proud as well. We have a lot of players who weren't here. That's OK, we can handle it. A lot of players who don't play, week-in, week-out. So for them to use the energy they were able to, we've got to have a big heart to be able to do that. They've always shown that and they showed that again."

There are positives to take from the resilience and defensive organisation, but Wales will also know that staying competitive in League A will require more threat at the other end of the pitch. Now it’s on to Denmark which Bellamy and his side must surely need to take something from the game.

FULL TIME: Portugal 1–0 Wales
João Félix 22’
Colin Thomas for Swansea Independent

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Photographs: tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_SPTPRP0003YE7DE:864742143 & tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_SPTPRP0003YDQ9P:602456309