UEFA Nations League – Felix scores as Portugal defeats Wales 1-0

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Group D kicked off its first round of group matches, with Portugal, playing at home, defeating Wales 1-0 thanks to a goal from Joao Felix.

Five minutes into the match, Wales launched an attack with a cross, and Liverpool striker Lewis Koumas attempted a shot, but the ball went over the post. In the 10th minute, Portuguese midfielder Felix played a through ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose low shot went wide.

In the 12th minute, Portugal continued their attack. Vitinha received a pass from Felix and fired a shot, but the ball went wide of the post. In the 15th minute, Ethan Ampadu passed the ball to Benjamin Carbango, whose header went over the bar. In the 17th minute, Bruno Fernandes took a corner kick, and Diaz headed the ball, but it went over the goal.

In the 21st minute, Nuno Mendes chipped a pass into the penalty area, but Pedro Neto's shot went wide. In the 22nd minute, Nuno Mendes broke through the defense and passed the ball diagonally to Felix outside the penalty area, who unleashed a long-range shot that found the back of the net, giving Portugal a 1-0 lead.

In the 31st minute, Felix received a pass from Pedro Neto and shot from the penalty area, but his effort was blocked. In the 36th minute, Portugal won a free kick, which Ronaldo took directly, but the ball hit the wall. In the 40th minute, Felix passed the ball diagonally, and Ronaldo followed up with a low shot, but the ball was caught by Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward.

In the 43rd minute, Ruben Neves passed the ball to Renato Vega, who followed up with a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball went wide. In the 49th minute, Ruben Neves chipped the ball into the box, and Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed it, but the ball went over the post.

In the 52nd minute, Ruben Neves took a corner kick, and Diaz headed the ball towards goal, but it was blocked by an opposing player. In the 59th minute, Bruno Fernandes played a long pass, and Ronaldo received the ball and slotted it into the net, but after VAR intervention, it was determined that Ronaldo had been offside, and the goal was disallowed.

In the 66th minute, Bruno Fernandes played a through ball into the penalty area, where Cristiano Ronaldo took a low shot, but the angle was too straight and the ball was easily saved by Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward. In the 74th minute, Wales attempted a counter-attack, with Jordan James passing the ball to Brennan Johnson, who attempted a chip shot in the ensuing scramble, but the ball struck the post.

In the 77th minute, Vitinha received a diagonal pass from Bruno Fernandes and took a long-range shot, but it was cleared by Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward. In the 83rd minute, Bruno Fernandes played a through ball to Gonzalo Ramos, who received the ball and shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball was intercepted by Danny Ward.

In the second half stoppage time, Dalot organized an attack, and Felix received the pass and shot, but his shot was blocked by an opposing player.

Portugal ultimately defeated Wales 1-0 at home, securing 3 points.

Image source: Internet