Wales possesses a “puncher’s chance” of surprising Portugal in their Nations League opener on Thursday, despite the Selecao having Cristiano Ronaldo, often regarded as an “alien” talent, on their side.
This perspective comes from midfielder Jordan James as Craig Bellamy’s team gears up for their League A campaign following promotion from the second tier in 2024-25.
Wales secured the top position in Group B4 during the last Nations League season, outperforming Turkiye, Iceland, and Montenegro, which has earned them a spot in Group A4 this time, alongside Portugal, Denmark, and Norway.
While they remained unbeaten in the 2024-25 Nations League (3 wins and 3 draws), their previous experience in the top tier was disappointing, as they failed to win any matches and finished with the least points overall (1 draw and 5 losses).
Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions after defeating Spain on penalties in the 2024-25 final for a second title, have a strong home record, winning 11 out of 14 matches in the competition, with only two defeats against France and Spain.
However, James – who has had a promising start with Wolves after arriving on a loan-to-buy from Rennes – insists that Wales will approach the match without fear.
“Obviously, they’re among the best players in the world, which is undeniable,” James stated, as reported by BBC Sport. “They have Champions League winners and more. We’re accustomed to playing as underdogs, so we hope to leverage that to our advantage. You can’t overlook us. We’re heading in with a chance to cause an upset.”
Heading down for the first session pic.twitter.com/fzMqFf5gj8
— Wales (@Cymru) September 21, 2026
The upcoming match will mark Portugal’s first game under new coach Jorge Jesus, who took over from Roberto Martinez after their round-of-16 exit in the World Cup. Jesus previously managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, where the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 29 goals in 33 games, averaging a goal every 99 minutes.
Ronaldo chose not to follow Lionel Messi’s lead in retiring from international football after the World Cup, opting to continue representing Portugal for now. When asked about Ronaldo’s exceptional abilities, James remarked, “We’re all striving to be the best, but some players, like Messi, Neymar, and Ronaldo, have an otherworldly quality that allows them to consistently perform in crucial moments. Their longevity in the sport is incredible.”
Wales narrowly missed out on the World Cup after losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a penalty shootout during the play-off semi-finals in March. Currently, their four-match winless streak (3 draws and 1 loss) marks both their worst under Bellamy and their poorest start to a calendar year since 2012, when they recorded five consecutive losses.
Fan Take: This match not only represents a significant moment for Wales as they strive to assert themselves in a tougher tier, but it also showcases the enduring brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, reminding soccer fans why the Nations League remains vital for national pride and competitive spirit. An upset could shift the balance of confidence in European football, making future matchups even more exciting.
Source: www.soccernews.com
