Portugal began their UEFA Nations League title defence, and the start of Jorge Jesus’ tenure, with a pragmatic 1-0 victory over Wales in Lisbon last night. João Félix built on some of the promise he showed in the World Cup by scoring the match-winner and generally being the most creative outlet.
Rúben Dias kept out Wales’ best opportunity in the 2nd half and despite missed chances from Ronaldo in particular, the Seleção registered three points ahead of a highly anticipated contest with Erling Haaland’s Norway on Sunday night in Oslo.
Starters
Diogo Costa – 7/10
Dealt well with an awkward first half back pass, finding Renato Veiga to his left with defenders swarming. Perhaps a bit too casual as nearly the entire defence had switched off in the 75’ thinking Wales were offside. Dias spared his blushes in the end. Had little else to do.
João Cancelo – 5.5
A wayward ball for Félix early on. Mendes just missed him at the back post minutes later. Contributed one key pass, 92% passing on 94 touches but was not always in position to stop counters and could not meaningfully influence the attack either.
Rúben Dias – 7.5
Say what you will about him – out of position and beaten for pace a few times by the speedy Welsh triumvirate, but how about the most nonchalant goal-line clearance in recent memory? My word. Completely switched off, arm raised calling for offside, and coolly thwarting a point-blank shot across the face of goal with the outside of his left boot to preserve all three points. I have surely seen the lot.
Renato Veiga – 7
I both loved and hated this cameo – rough, no-nonsense style in that first half, but carelessly out of position in the second when Wales were threatening on the counter. Match highs in aerial challenges won (4), interceptions (4) and clearances (5) with 97% passing.
Nuno Mendes – 7.5
Started a bit slowly then awoke and began tormenting the Welsh defence. Delivered a few teasing crosses, then showed great strength and balance to pirouette inside his marker and set up João Félix to score the opener. Turned on the jets and scythed through the heart of midfield ten minutes later. Not as tidy on the ball as some, but two key passes, a match high 3 dribbles and good defensive interventions all around. Oh, had he not went down injured in the round-of-16 tie against Spain…
Rúben Neves – 7
Teed up one of his trademark volleys following a corner but skewered it wide. Pressed reasonably well and nearly forced a 2nd half error from the keeper. Only Bruno had more key passes than his four, completed 59/61 attempts.
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Vitinha – 6.5
Steady rather than sizzling. Took good care of the ball as usual and ripped off a couple shots too. Hard to put a finger on it, but something is not working as it should. Not entirely comfortable without João Neves alongside him perhaps?
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Match high 5 key passes, but no incisive contribution. Couple of good set-ups in the first half, especially for Ronaldo. But no shots? Similar to Vitinha… something is off right now.
Pedro Neto – 5.5
Worked hard. Two dribbles, two headers won, and one key pass. But no shots on target again. Time is eventually going to run out for him to declare himself a key figure. Only upside is that few other wingers are up to the challenge currently.
João Félix – 8, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match
A good turn and pass for Ronaldo in the 10’, then earned a corner with a scuffed effort after Vitinha’s shot was blocked. Lovely little touch for Bruno prior to Ronaldo’s 16th-minute attempt, then crashed in an excellent goal through Ben Davis’ legs, the matchwinner, his 13th for Portugal. Had another shot deflected wide in the 32’ and would have had a 58’ assist for Ronaldo had his cross been weighted properly. Nearly added to his tally late on after Dalot’s neat flick-back. He was neither ruthless nor did he take particularly good care of the ball, but still a decent performance.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 6
Seven shots on 27 touches. Got free down the left onto Félix’s ball early on, firing wide right from a poor angle. Great run behind the defence in the second half but started just one or two steps early and was caught offside by VAR. The instinct is still there but the body just could not get it done tonight. Subbed for Ramos midway through the second half.
Substitutes
Gonçalo Ramos – 6
Must have been pleased to see the pitch tonight, but only 9 touches in 23 minutes? Yikes. Did burst free down the left to test the keeper with a rasping shot from a tight angle.
João Palhinha – 5.5
Quiet once he came on and must say he hardly locked things down in midfield. Whiffed on a late shot following a corner, only registered 17 touches.
Nuno Tavares – 6
Little to say except Tavares is out of his depth at this level by the look of things.
