Bellamy says Wales can improve after 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Lisbon
September 25, 2026 01:10
Wales were beaten 1-0 by Portugal in Lisbon as Joao Felix's deflected strike decided the Nations League opener at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out by VAR and was substituted midway through the second half; the match marked his 234th cap.
BELLAMY'S ASSESSMENT
Manager Craig Bellamy described the game as "a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot." He underlined Wales were missing a number of players through injury — Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon and Nathan Broadhead — but added: "We have a lot of players who weren't here. That's OK, we can handle it." He also said: "There's more for us, so that's something we always look at as a positive."
Despite long periods under pressure in Lisbon, Bellamy's side finished strongly with Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas both coming close to forcing a draw.
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
The match was a winning start to the Nations League title defence for Portugal and for their new manager Jorge Jesus. In the build-up and during the game attention focused on Cristiano Ronaldo; Bellamy said of facing him: "it's a £1.4bn squad you're up against, [but] I felt quite calm. The players give me that. Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all generations... 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."
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Wales have a short turnaround and travel to Copenhagen to face Denmark on Sunday (17:00 BST). Portugal and Wales are also due to meet again in a return fixture in Cardiff in November, a match in which Ronaldo "could well line-up" according to coverage of the game.