Wales Faces Portugal in Nations League A Opener

No easing into this campaign. No gentle warm‑up. Wales open their Nations League A journey in Lisbon on Thursday, 24 September, staring straight at Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in their own backyard.

Craig Bellamy’s first big test as head coach comes with complications before a ball is even kicked. Harry Wilson is out. Nathan Broadhead is out. Karl Darlow is out. All three have withdrawn through injury, trimming his options and forcing an early rethink.

At the back, the picture is mixed. Highly rated defender Dylan Lawlor is also missing, a blow to the long‑term plan as much as the short‑term selection. The good news for Wales is that their captain is back: Ben Davies is available again, bringing experience, calm and a voice that carries when the pressure tightens.

Up front, the squad has a different feel. Uncapped Cian Ashford and Joe Taylor stand on the edge of a breakthrough, suddenly more than just development names on a long list. In Lisbon, they are live options. Bellamy can turn to their energy and fearlessness if he wants to stretch a Portugal defence that expects to dominate.

This is the puzzle in front of him: how do you set up a side shorn of key attacking pieces, yet bold enough to hurt Ronaldo and company? What shape do you trust under the lights of Lisbon? A compact back five to absorb the storm, or a front-foot press that tries to rattle the hosts?

If you were in Bellamy’s shoes, which way would you go? Pick your formation, choose your XI, decide who marks Ronaldo, who carries the ball out, who finishes the one chance you might get – and then see if your Wales can walk into Lisbon and come out with a statement result.