Bellamy demands improvement from Wales after Nations League defeat to Portugal

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has called for greater intensity from his squad following a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in their Nations League opener, despite acknowledging the effort shown by an injury-depleted team.

The match, played at Lisbon’s Jose Alvalade Stadium, saw Joao Felix’s deflected strike secure the victory for the hosts. Portugal, under new manager Jorge Jesus, claimed all three points in their title defence campaign, while a potential Cristiano Ronaldo goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Bellamy admitted his side faced significant pressure throughout the contest. “It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot,” he said. “I think that’s the longest we’ve been in a game without the ball.”

Despite the loss, Wales created late chances as Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas went close to finding an equaliser. The Welsh boss highlighted the resilience of players who feature regularly for their clubs, noting their ability to manage energy levels despite being rested frequently.

“We could have done more with the ball but I’m beyond proud as well,” Bellamy added. He confirmed that several key players were unavailable due to injury, including Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon, and Nathan Broadhead.

Bellamy emphasized the need for continuous development as Wales prepare for their next fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday. “There’s more for us, so that’s something we always look at as a positive. How can we improve? How can we get better?”

The focus also remained on 41-year-old Ronaldo, who earned his 234th cap. The Manchester United forward missed a clear opportunity and saw a second goal disallowed, which would have been his 980th in top-flight competition, before being substituted in the second half. A return leg in Cardiff this November could see them face each other again.

Reflecting on the disparity between the two squads, Bellamy said: “If you looked at everything that was going on, it’s a £1.4bn squad you’re up against, [but] I felt quite calm. The players give me that.”

He acknowledged Ronaldo’s status as one of the greatest players across generations, adding, “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.”