Joao Felix relishing second striker role as Portugal kick off Jorge Jesus era with Nations League victory

Joao Felix proved decisive on home soil as Portugal launched the Jorge Jesus era with a hard-fought 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales in Lisbon. The forward opened the scoring before the break and later hailed his deployment as a second striker, insisting the tactical change allowed him to deliver his most effective performance for the national team.

Felix's decisive goal arrived in the 22nd minute at Estadio Jose Alvalade when his long-range strike took a deflection off Ben Davies to deceive goalkeeper Danny Ward. Cristiano Ronaldo, returning to where his professional career began 24 years ago, missed a close-range volley and saw a second-half effort disallowed for offside . The hosts survived a late scare when Brennan Johnson hit the crossbar before Ruben Dias produced a heroic block to deny Lewis Koumas from the rebound.