Wales lost 1-0 to Portugal in Lisbon, and the result was narrow. Joao Felix’s deflected strike sealed the win, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort was ruled out by VAR. It was a winning start to the Nations League title defence for Portugal and for new manager Jorge Jesus.
The Welsh team was badly hurt by injuries, but Craig Bellamy still found much to praise about their performance after the game. He admitted his side were forced to suffer throughout, yet the finish was strong, with Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas both coming close to an equaliser.
“It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot,” said Bellamy. “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.”
What Went Wrong
Bellamy admitted that his side were missing Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon and Nathan Broadhead through injury, while Portugal held the ball for long spells during the game.
“We have a lot of players who weren’t here. That’s OK, we can handle it,” he said. “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.”
Ronaldo’s Role
Before the contest at Jose Alvalade Stadium, where Ronaldo started his professional career with Sporting in 2002, the Portuguese forward unsurprisingly drew attention. He missed a big opportunity and had a goal taken away for offside, which would have been his 980th top-flight goal.
Midway through the second half, he came off as a substitute. He may face Wales once more when Portugal meet them again in Cardiff in November.
The Wales manager made clear his team were not impressed by the attention on the Al-Nassr striker. “If you looked at everything that was going on, it’s a £1.4bn squad you’re up against, [but] I felt quite calm. The players give me that,” was his remark.
Preparing for Denmark
Wales cannot afford to linger over the loss. Their next assignment comes fast, a second League A outing against Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday at 17:00 BST.
Bellamy believes his squad can improve, despite the absences. “There’s more for us, so that’s something we always look at as a positive,” he said. “How can we improve? How can we get better?”
Ronaldo’s Legacy
Bellamy was not intimidated by facing Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all generations, not just this generation,” he said. “You have to plan for him because he’s beyond dangerous, even at his age. He’s a superstar and I’d love to think I’d have the opportunity to be up against him again, but I don’t know, maybe time is ticking.”
The Bottom Line
In the closing moments of the match, Wales came within a hair’s breadth of scoring an equaliser. The team’s determination shone through in the last stretch, with Bellamy’s men pushing hard right to the end. Those players who rose to the occasion in those final minutes earned praise for their effort.
Bellamy understands that the response of his team will determine whether the next test is met, and he knows it comes fast.
| Match | Result | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Wales vs Portugal | 1-0 | Felix’s deflected strike |
| Ronaldo’s goal | Disallowed | Offside decision |
| Return match | Pending | Cardiff |
- Portugal 1-0 Wales
- Ronaldo’s 980th top-flight goal ruled out
- Ronaldo’s return match in Cardiff in November
- Wales face Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday at 17:00 BST
Bellamy’s message makes his feelings plain: he takes real pride in the performance, yet he wants more. The next game stands ready to show whether that hunger for improvement has brought anything new with it.
Source material: “Bellamy wants more from Wales after loss to Portugal,” the BBC.
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