Joao Felix played a decisive role at home, as Portugal began the era of coach Jorge Jesus with a difficult 1-0 victory over its guest, Wales, in the European Nations League.
Felix played the starring role, in the match that was held on Thursday, in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, in the opening round of the fourth group in the first level of the continental competition, after scoring the hosts’ only goal in the first half.
After the match, Felix praised his employment in the second striker position, as he stressed that this tactical change allowed him to perform his best with the Portuguese national team.
Felix's decisive goal came in the 22nd minute of the match, which took place at Jose Alvalade Stadium, when his long-range shot hit Welsh defender Ben Davies, changing its path and deceiving goalkeeper Danny Ward.
On the other hand, veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to the field where he started his professional career 24 years ago, missed the opportunity to shoot directly (on the fly) from close range, and his goal was disallowed in the second half due to offside.
The host team escaped a critical situation in the final minutes, especially when Brennan Johnson's shot hit the crossbar, before Ruben Diaz intervened brilliantly to prevent Luis Comas from scoring from the rebound.
Felix (26 years old) believed that the Portuguese national team succeeded in implementing the new coach's tactical vision, despite the short period of joint work between them.
In statements to the Sport TV channel after the final whistle, the Saudi Al-Nasr attacking star said: “We knew that the match would not be easy, as the Wales national team is a strong team.”
Felix added: “The first match under the leadership of a new coach is always difficult, and we only had a little time to practice the playing styles preferred by the coach, but I think we played a great match in general and deserve praise.”
Speaking about the bold attacking style that resulted in 13 attempts in the first half, Felix revealed: “I think everyone noticed our dynamic style... purely offensive football, high pressure, and not giving the opponent any chance to catch a breath.”
He explained: “We made 13 shots in the first half, which is a large number for one half. I don't remember any opportunity they had, while we had several opportunities. This is what the audience can expect. Attacking football, constant pressure, depriving the opponent of freedom of movement, and creating opportunities.”
Felix pointed out: “It is true that we scored one goal tonight, but we will certainly score more in the upcoming matches if we continue to play in this style.”
This new performance also highlighted the great influence of the striker when playing directly behind the spearhead, instead of playing on the flanks.
When asked how comfortable he was in that pivotal role, Felix stated: “I have always been myself. I have always strived to give my best to the team, regardless of the position I play in.”
The Portuguese player concluded his speech: “As I always said, my position is here, as a second striker. When I play in this position, things are more likely to go well, which is what happened last year. “The whole team performed well today, and this is the position where I can help them the most.”
The Portuguese national team occupies second place in the group standings with three points, on goal difference behind the Norway national team (leader), which is equal with them on the same score, and which achieved an exciting victory over its guest, the Danish national team, with a score of 3/2 in the first round of the group, while the Wales national team languishes at the bottom of the standings with no points.
It is noteworthy that the Portuguese national team will play its next two group matches away from home against Norway and Denmark, on Sunday and next Thursday, respectively.
On Friday, 4 of the largest football leagues in Europe called for radical reforms within the International Federation (FIFA), calling for broader stakeholder involvement in decision-making, in light of growing criticism directed at the governance mechanisms within the game’s governing body.
The English Premier League, the German Premier League, the Italian League, and the Spanish League all stressed that FIFA needs a more solid system of checks and balances, clear constitutional limits, as well as a clearer separation between its role as a regulator of world football and its commercial interests.
This position is the first unified move from the four European leagues since FIFA President Gianni Infantino backed down from a controversial project that aimed to introduce foreign investments into the commercial activities of the International Federation, after facing widespread opposition from various parties to the game.
The leagues said in a joint statement: “The World Cup may represent the pinnacle of football, but the game is built and flourishing week after week in stadiums full of fans and within local communities, thanks to players, fans, clubs and leagues around the world.”
The statement added: “In recent years, the foundations of football have been exposed to a real threat due to a fundamental flaw in governance. Exploitative projects were promoted rather than confronted. Despite the success of the stakeholders in dropping the project, the circumstances that produced it still exist.”
This escalation comes at a time when pressure is increasing on Infantino, who is preparing to run in new elections for the presidency of FIFA next year.
The relationship between FIFA and the largest European leagues has witnessed increasing tension in recent years, against the backdrop of the International Federation’s expansion of its championships and competitions, which local clubs and leagues see as increasing the burden on players and threatening the artistic and commercial value of local competitions.
In an attempt to contain criticism, Infantino this week proposed assigning an independent body to review FIFA’s governance framework with regard to major strategic initiatives, in addition to launching consultations with continental and national federations and various concerned parties to strengthen decision-making mechanisms.
However, the European leagues saw that the matter goes beyond mere procedural amendments, stressing that there has become an urgent need for structural reforms that redraw the constitutional boundaries within FIFA and ensure the independence of organizational and disciplinary decisions from any political or commercial considerations.
Infantino's proposals were also met with widespread skepticism in Europe, especially after the sharp criticism directed by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin of the project, which required the sale of up to 20 percent of FIFA's commercial rights, including World Cup rights, to private investors, before the file was finally closed last July.
The four European leagues believe that the future of the game requires real participation of the parties affected by FIFA’s decisions, through the establishment of a permanent body that includes national federations, leagues, clubs, and players from men’s and women’s football, ensuring that decisions are made on objective and transparent foundations.
The statement said: “The future of FIFA matters to everyone who cares about football, because the game cannot continue its global growth if its foundations are undermined.”
He added: “The governance problem in FIFA is bigger than one person; The real question is whether the FIFA president should combine regulatory, commercial and political powers at the same time, without effective controls or real oversight from the parties affected by his decisions.
The leagues concluded their statement by affirming that the reforms launched more than a decade ago following the corruption scandals that shook FIFA did not fully achieve their goals, considering that football once again finds itself facing a governance crisis that raises profound questions about how to manage the most popular game in the world.
