Portugal vs Wales football match
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Portugal host Wales in Lisbon on Sept 24 to open their UEFA Nations League title defence.
Ronaldo, 41, sits 21 goals short of 1,000 as he wins his 234th cap.
Background
Portugal are the defending UEFA Nations League champions and begin their title defence at home under new manager Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez after Portugal's World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16 against eventual champions Spain. Ronaldo, 41, is on 979 career goals — 833 for clubs and 146 for Portugal — 21 short of the 1,000-goal landmark he has targeted. Wales return to League A without a win in their last four games and have not kept a clean sheet in five, with both teams scoring in each of their last five fixtures.
How it unfolded
- Sep 21, 2026Goal.com publishes a preview of Portugal vs Wales, UEFA Nations League A Game Week 1 at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
- Sep 22, 2026ESPN lists the match with venue Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, and referee to be confirmed.
- Sep 23, 2026Al Jazeera reports the match at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday, September 24, at 7:45pm (18:45 GMT).
- Sep 23, 2026Cristiano Ronaldo speaks at the Portugal Football Summit at the Portuguese FA headquarters outside Lisbon before the Wales match.
- Sep 24, 2026Portugal host Wales at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon in the opening round of the UEFA Nations League, League A Group 4.
- Sep 24, 2026Portugal lineups confirmed: Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Rúben Neves; Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix; Cristiano Ronaldo (captain), in a 4-2-3-1.
- Sep 24, 2026Wales lineups confirmed: Danny Ward; Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Ben Davies, Jay Dasilva; Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan; David Brooks, Lewis Koumas, Brennan Johnson.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said one goal is to achieve both reaching 1,000 goals and the national team trying to win this Nations League.
Still unverified
Both sides were listed in a 4-2-3-1 on the early team sheets, but final lineups were yet to be confirmed at the time of the preview. Goal.com stated no injuries or suspensions had been confirmed for either side at that stage and the projected starting XI had not yet been announced. Goal.com US said no injuries or suspensions had been flagged for Wales, though further updates may be added closer to kick-off.