Bellamy wants more from Wales after Portugal loss

Wales earned plaudits but Craig Bellamy wants more from after admitting his side were forced to suffer in their narrow defeat in Portugal.

Joao Felix‘s deflected strike proved enough to earn victory in Lisbon for the hosts who also saw Cristiano Ronaldo‘s effort ruled out by VAR victory.

It was a winning start to the National League title defence for Portugal and for new manager Jorge Jesus.

Despite being under pressure for long spells in Lisbon, Bellamy’s injury-hit side ended strongly as Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas both went close to snatching a draw.

“It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot,” said Bellamy.

“I think that’s the longest we’ve been in a game without the ball.

“We could have done more with the ball but I’m beyond proud as well.

“We have a lot of players who weren’t here. That’s OK, we can handle it.

“A lot of players who don’t play, week-in, week-out. So for them to use the energy they were able to, we’ve got to have a big heart to be able to do that. They’ve always shown that and they showed that again.”

Wales have a short turnaround to their second League A fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday (17:00 BST).

But Bellamy feels his squad – missing Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon and Nathan Broadhead through injury – are capable of improving.

“There’s more for us, so that’s something we always look at as a positive,” he said.

“How can we improve? How can we get better?”

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Cristiano Ronaldo earned his 234th caps in the match against Wales [Getty Images]

Ronaldo unsurprisingly took the spotlight in the build-up to the contest at Jose Alvalade Stadium – where the 41-year-old began his professional career with Sporting in 2002.

The forward missed a big opportunity and had a goal disallowed for offside – what would have been his 980th top flight goal – before being substituted midway through the second-half.

He could well line-up against Wales again when Portugal play the return match in Cardiff in November.

Amid the noise around the Al-Nassr frontman, Bellamy refused to be overawed and hopes to face Ronaldo again.

“If you looked at everything that was going on, it’s a £1.4bn squad you’re up against, (but) I felt quite calm. The players give me that,” added the Wales boss.

“Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all generations, not just this generation.

“You have to plan for him because he’s beyond dangerous, even at his age.

“He’s a superstar and I’d love to think I’d have the opportunity to be up against him again, but I don’t know, maybe time is ticking.”