Bellamy demands more after Portugal's narrow Nations League win
Wales slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Lisbon, leaving Craig Bellamy determined to raise standards as the side begins its Nations League campaign. The loss highlights the need for more cohesion and resilience if the Welsh team are to compete for the title.
Joao Felix’s deflected strike proved decisive, giving Portugal a narrow win in the opening match of their title defence. Cristiano Ronaldo saw a promising effort ruled out by VAR, and new manager Jorge Jesus celebrated a successful start to his tenure.
Bellamy’s side entered the game heavily depleted, missing Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon and Nathan Broadhead through injury. Despite this, Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas each came close to salvaging a draw, showing the squad’s fighting spirit.
"It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot," Bellamy said. "I think that's the longest we've been in a game without the ball."
He added, "We could have done more with the ball but I'm beyond proud as well. We have a lot of players who weren't here. That's OK, we can handle it. A lot of players who don't play, week‑in, week‑out, showed a big heart and they showed that again."
Bellamy looks ahead to Denmark
Wales now face a short turnaround before their next League A fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday. Bellamy remains optimistic, insisting, "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?"
Ronaldo earned his 234th cap in the match, missed a major chance and had a goal disallowed for off‑side, which would have been his 980th top‑flight goal, before being substituted midway through the second half. He could line up again when Portugal visit Cardiff in November.
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. Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all generations, not just this generation. 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."