Joao Felix's goal seals 1-0 win for Portugal against Wales

Five of his seven shots were off target, and although he found the net once in the second half, it was ruled out for offside. Overall, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was repeatedly left frustrated by missed chances. His first match after the World Cup was also a bleak one for him. However, defending champions Portugal began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 1-0 win over Wales, thanks to a goal from Joao Felix.

In the early hours of yesterday, Thursday, Jorge Jesus's team gave Wales a dominant performance at home in Lisbon. Alongside more than 60 percent possession, they took 23 shots, five of which were on target. In contrast, Wales had only one shot on target out of five. The only decisive goal of the match was scored by Felix in the 22nd minute.

Ronaldo got his first chance of the match from a Felix through pass, but from a ball received inside the box, he shot diagonally wide of the post. A while later, another of his shots went wide after deflecting off an opponent. In the 22nd minute, Felix broke the deadlock. His powerful low shot from outside the box touched a Wales player's leg and found their net. This was the Al-Nassr forward's 13th goal in 58 matches for the national team.

Coming out after the break, Ronaldo missed an incredible chance. When Ruben Neves delivered a cross in front of the six-yard box, the Wales goalkeeper had moved to one side. But even with an open goal, Ronaldo's touch sent the ball over the crossbar. The record highest scorer in international football (146) then seemed to vent his frustration on himself.

Ronaldo's frustration grew further when a goal he scored was disallowed. After receiving Bruno Fernandes's through pass, he managed to beat the goalkeeper, but VAR ruled it offside. Another weak shot from the 41-year-old star was easily controlled by the Wales goalkeeper. In the 67th minute, coach Jesus substituted him. Although disappointment was visible on his face, Portugal's fans in the stands were wishing him well.

Wales, who had been defending all this time, took their only shot of the match in the 73rd minute, which they could not keep on target. In the very next minute, one of their shots hit the crossbar. If that had gone in, hosts Portugal might have seen a different result. In the end, no more goals were scored, and they returned with a 1-0 win.