Wales Fall 1-0 to Portugal as Bellamy Demands More — SkimNews
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- Joao Felix scored a deflected strike that proved the difference as Portugal beat Wales 1-0 in their Nations League opener in Lisbon, starting their title defence under new manager Jorge Jesus.
- Craig Bellamy said his side had to "suffer a lot" and acknowledged it was "the longest we've been in a game without the ball," but added he was "beyond proud" of his injury-hit squad's effort.
- Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside — which would have been his 930th career goal — and was substituted midway through the second half in a subdued display at the José Alvalade Stadium.
- Wales were missing five players through injury (Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon, Nathan Broadhead) yet finished the stronger side, with Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas both going close to a late equaliser.
- Bellamy dismissed the occasion as one against "a £1.4bn squad," saying he felt "quite calm" and expressing hope of facing Ronaldo again in the reverse fixture in Cardiff in November.
- Wales face Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday (17:00 BST) in their second League A fixture, with Bellamy insisting there is "more for us" despite the defeat.
Why it matters: Competing with a squad Bellamy valued at £1.4bn while missing five first-team players showed Wales can absorb pressure and create late chances against elite opposition — but Bellamy's demand for improvement ahead of a Sunday trip to Denmark signals this group measures itself by standards higher than plaudits.
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