Cristiano Ronaldo endures frustrating Portugal return

Portugal secured the result, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of his 980th career goal was delayed after a frustrating Nations League appearance against Wales. The 41-year-old forward started under new coach Jorge Jesus and completed just over an hour without scoring, offering little relief from the criticism he has faced in the Portuguese media.

Portugal won 1-0 in Lisbon, with João Félix providing the decisive moment in the 22nd minute. He struck from outside the area after receiving the ball from Nuno Mendes, giving Portugal the lead in a match Ronaldo was unable to settle individually.

Ronaldo had a clear opportunity to double the advantage four minutes after half-time. Unmarked in the area, he met Ruben Neves’s cross with his left foot instead of heading and sent the attempt wide. Ten minutes later, he found the net after chasing the ball into the area, but the goal was disallowed for an evident offside. His evening ended when Gonçalo Ramos replaced him in the 68th minute.

Ronaldo remains focused on reaching 1,000 career goals and has not set a date for ending his international career. He has said his motivation comes from those who still want to see him play, while insisting that the present matters more to him than planning for the future.