Portugal began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Wales in Lisbon on Thursday, with Joao Felix scoring the decisive goal as Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating night in front of goal.

Felix’s 22nd-minute strike was enough to give the reigning Nations League champions all three points despite Portugal’s dominance and a series of missed opportunities.

Portugal controlled much of the game, registering 19 shots to Wales’ four, while enjoying the majority of possession.

“We scored one, and we didn’t concede. That’s the big thing,” Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes told the BBC after the match.

The victory marked the first competitive match for Portugal under new head coach Jorge Jesus.

Felix broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when his low effort from the edge of the penalty area took a slight deflection off Wales captain Ben Davies before rolling into the far corner beyond goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Portugal continued to dominate after taking the lead but failed to add to their advantage.

“We had 13 shots in the first half, that’s a lot,” Felix said. “I can’t recall them having a single clear-cut chance; we had several.”

He added that Portugal’s attacking performance gave him confidence that more goals would follow in subsequent matches.

“We only scored one today but, if we carry on like this, we’ll score more,” Felix said.

Ronaldo struggles to find the net
Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 and has scored a record 146 international goals, remained the central figure of Portugal’s attack but could not find the breakthrough.

The 41-year-old came close on several occasions, including an effort that struck the side netting and a difficult volley that he sent over the crossbar from close range.

Ronaldo appeared to have doubled Portugal’s advantage after the hour mark when he put the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Still visibly frustrated by the decision, Ronaldo was substituted seven minutes later.

Portugal’s attacking momentum dipped following his departure, allowing Wales to push forward in search of an equaliser.

Wales miss late chance
Wales came closest to levelling the match through Brennan Johnson.

The forward chipped Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, only for his effort to strike the crossbar.

With Costa out of position, Lewis Koumas and Dan James attempted to capitalise on the rebound, but Koumas’ effort was struck straight at Ruben Dias, who was positioned on the goal line.

Wales midfielder Ethan Ampadu admitted his side were disappointed not to take advantage of the opportunity.

“We are disappointed with the goal,” Ampadu said.

“There were a couple of chances at the end where we could’ve got a goal, and that would have made it a better feeling, but it’s never nice to lose.”

Portugal ultimately held on for the win, securing three points despite failing to convert their territorial and shooting advantage into a more comfortable scoreline.

“We controlled it and had a lot of chances but were not capable of scoring more,” Fernandes said. “We wanted the three points and got that.”

Portugal, who have won two of the four Nations League finals since the competition began in 2018, will now look to build on the opening victory as they continue their latest campaign.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has expressed hope that he can dedicate a potential Ballon d’Or victory to Africa, highlighting his enduring connection to the continent through his family roots.

The France captain spoke about his African heritage in an interview with RFI on Tuesday, saying he had never severed his ties with his origins despite being born and raised in France.

Mbappé’s father, Wilfried Mbappé, is of Cameroonian descent, while his mother, Fayza Lamari, has Algerian roots.

“I have never cut ties with my roots, my origins,” Mbappé said while discussing his relationship with Africa.

The 27-year-old forward also spoke about the warm reception he has received during visits to the continent, saying he has consistently felt supported and appreciated by African fans and journalists.

Mbappé specifically acknowledged the backing he has received from African journalists involved in the Ballon d’Or voting process.

“I’ve always felt very loved on the African continent. I hope I can leave with the Ballon d’Or and, in one way or another, dedicate it to them too,” he said.

The statement comes as Mbappé remains among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, an award he has yet to win.

The Real Madrid forward enjoyed a prolific campaign last season, finishing as the top scorer in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

He also emerged as the leading scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further strengthening his credentials for the prestigious individual award.

A Ballon d’Or triumph would mark another major milestone in Mbappé’s career and would also carry personal significance for the France international given his longstanding connection with his African heritage.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to hold in London on October 26, where the winner will be going.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to the Three Lions squad for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.

Tuchel named a 27-man squad on Friday, September 18, making eight changes to the group that represented England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold, who now plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid, returns to the squad alongside club teammate Jude Bellingham, while Chelsea forward Palmer has also been brought back after missing the World Cup squad.

Several other players have returned following the commencement of the new club season, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Rio Ngumoha, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Alex Scott.

England will open their Nations League campaign against newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 26.

The Group A3 encounter is scheduled to kick off at 7.45pm BST.

Tuchel’s side will then travel to Prague three days later to face Czechia at the Fortuna Arena on Tuesday, September 29. The match will also begin at 7.45pm BST.

The Three Lions will remain on the road for their third fixture of the international window when they take on Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday, October 3.

The encounter at the Stadium HNK Rijeka is scheduled for 5pm BST and will be played behind closed doors following a UEFA sanction.

England will round off the four-match window by hosting Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday, October 6, with kick-off set for 7.45pm BST.

The squad is expected to assemble at St George’s Park early next week to begin preparations for the demanding run of Nations League fixtures.

The four matches represent the first four of England’s six group games in League A, Group 3.

Following the October fixtures, England will host Croatia on November 12 before travelling to Spain for the final group fixture on November 15.

England squad for Nations League
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth).

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).

The return of Alexander-Arnold and Palmer adds further attacking and creative options to Tuchel’s squad as England begin their campaign against a Spain side that recently claimed the World Cup.

The Nations League fixtures will also give Tuchel an opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the remainder of the international calendar and the final two group matches in November.