Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had added another chapter to his remarkable goalscoring record. Instead, VAR had other ideas. The Portugal captain saw a second-half goal ruled out, but Portugal still opened their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wales.

Ronaldo appeared to have doubled Portugal's lead in the 59th minute after racing onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes and calmly sending the ball beyond Wayne Hennessey. The stadium erupted as the familiar "Siuuu" celebration rang out around the ground.

Then came the intervention. VAR ruled the goal out, denying Ronaldo what would have been the 980th goal of his career.

Portugal had already taken the lead in the first half. João Félix struck in the 22nd minute to score the only goal of the game and give Roberto Martínez's side the perfect start to their Nations League campaign.

UEFA Nations League 2026-27

Portugal - Wales 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: Félix J., 22 (1:0)

Portugal: Costa D.; Dias R.; Veiga; Mendes N. (Tavares N., 78); Cancelo (Dalot, 90); Vitinha F.; Fernandes B. (Neves J. P., 90); Félix J.; Ruben Neves (Palhinha, 68); Cristiano Ronaldo (Ramos G., 68); Pedro Neto
Substitution: Palhinha (from 68); Ramos G. (from 68); Tavares N. (from 78); Dalot (from 90); Neves J. P. (from 90)
Bench: Rui Silva; Soares S.; Araújo T.; Bernardo Silva; Conceicao F.; Trincão; Leão R.

Wales: Ward; Williams N.; Davies; Cabango (Mepham, 71); Dasilva Jay; Ampadu; James (Thomas S., 77); Sheehan; Johnson B-n; Brooks (James D., 63); Koumas (Moore Ki., 77)
Substitution: James D. (from 63); Mepham (from 71); Moore Ki. (from 77); Thomas S. (from 77)
Bench: Cornell; King T.; Roberts C.; Norrington-Davies; Burns; Colwill J.; Cullen L.; Harris M.
Yellow Cards: Cabango 70