Cristiano Ronaldo misses the shot one metre under Jorge Jesus
In Jorge Jesus's debut in charge of the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo sought his long‑awaited thousandth goal against Wales, but the 41‑year‑old striker missed a clear chance against the crossbar after a Pedro Neto cross at the Estádio José Alvalade.
Portugal arrived at the match as clear favourite, surpassing Wales in quality and results. The Portuguese side has won 11 of its 14 home games in the Nations League, with only two defeats. Moreover, Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing his thousandth goal, a milestone he himself has identified as a target. The Welsh opponent lagged far behind in possession and chances.
Portugal enters as favourite
However, the most talked‑about moment was Ronaldo's attempt to push the ball after a Pedro Neto cross. The striker, tasked with placing the ball, struck it with his left ankle and the ball rose above the crossbar, ending up about a metre from the goal. The miss was recorded as a miscalculation in front of the goal. The ball reached a height above the crossbar, leaving the Al‑Nassr player with a look of disbelief.
The media highlight the miss
Jorge Jesus confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will start the match, describing him as “our symbol”. In the press conference he added: “And if nothing special happens, Cris will play from the start tomorrow”. The statement underscores the coach's confidence in the 41‑year‑old captain. At 72, Jesus becomes the oldest manager to lead Portugal.
Portugal takes the upper hand over Wales in the Nations League
The episode was covered by Gareth Patterson of Ap‑LaPresse, who described the play as “a clear chance”. In the same article, journalist Eric Gay, together with Mario Calderón, noted that the report was written from Madrid, highlighting the public’s surprise at the miss. The report also mentions that the piece was published under the headline “You can’t believe it”.
Despite Ronaldo's prominence, the poll by the newspaper A Bola left the striker out of the ideal lineup, preferring Gonçalo Ramos up front. However, the coach stuck to his decision and included Ronaldo among the 11 starters. The public expressed divided opinions on social media.
Jesus also indicated that he will look to vary the formation, bringing in a midfielder with a more defensive profile and using a second striker instead of three midfielders. This proposal aims to give greater solidity to the middle block and create more offensive options. The tactical change seeks to exploit Ronaldo's experience as a reference striker.
Ronaldo aims for 1,000 goals and a Nations League win as final target
The match will be played this Thursday at 15:45 (Brasília time) at the Estádio José Alvalade, in Group A4 alongside Norway and Denmark. The contrast between the expectation of a thousandth goal and the unexpected miss highlights the pressure that still weighs on the veteran, reminding that football remains unpredictable. The fixture will be the first round of the 2026‑27 Nations League.