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European Edition Thursday, 08 October 2026
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Football

Wales beaten by Portugal on frustrating night for Ronaldo

Wales beaten by Portugal on frustrating night for Ronaldo

Wales fell to an opening 1-0 Nations League defeat to Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank in Lisbon.

Report as Wales suffer defeat on their return to the Nations League Group A with Joao Felix's deflected first-half effort the difference in Lisbon; Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score from any of his seven shots, including an easy chance in the second half

Wales fell to an opening 1-0 Nations League defeat to Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank in Lisbon.

On an evening when Ronaldo missed a slew of chances and had a second-half effort ruled out by a VAR intervention, it was his Al Nassr team-mate Joao Felix who settled the contest.

Ronaldo was winning cap number 234 after deciding to prolong his international career following a disappointing World Cup, but his contribution ended when substituted after 67 minutes.

The manner of Felix's 22nd-minute goal was cruel on Wales, deflecting off Ben Davies, but it could not be denied that Portugal deserved their victory by having 22 shots to five.

Being pitched into a tough Nations League A group with Portugal, Norway and Denmark was Wales' reward for promotion two years ago.

But boss Craig Bellamy - who was on the brink of leaving in the summer to join Burnley - had welcomed the challenge as an opportunity to improve their seeding for the 2028 European Championship.

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