Despite a goal from Erling Haaland, Portugal have moved to the top of Group 4 in the Nations League. Cristiano Ronaldo spent the whole match on the bench.
Without football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent the whole match on the bench, Portugal have made a statement. In their Nations League clash against World Cup quarter-finalists Norway, Portugal won 2–1 (1–0). Securing their second win in their second match under Portugal’s new national manager Jorge Jesus, the defending champions fought back after Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland had temporarily levelled the score.
As in Jesus’s successful debut against Wales, João Félix (17’) put Portugal ahead. Striker Goncalo Ramos, who came into the starting line-up in place of Ronaldo, scored Portugal’s second goal (54’). Shortly before that, Haaland (51’) had given Norway renewed hope.
Following the 1–0 opening victory against Wales, 72-year-old Jesus made three changes for his first real test. Alongside the injured Bruno Fernandes, who wasn’t even in the squad, two other high-profile players from the starting eleven were rotated out alongside captain Ronaldo and Vitinha.
Nations League: Both goalkeepers made mistakes
Felix was once again entrusted with the start by his former club manager Jesus, under whom the striker had already flourished at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. In the 17th minute, he scored another spectacular goal from distance in Oslo.
After Norway had pressed in vain during the first half and created a clear advantage in terms of chances, Haaland then showed himself to be wide awake shortly after the break. Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa could only parry a free-kick from Martin Ödegaard forward, and Haaland successfully followed up.
However, as Norway’s goalkeeper Örjan Nyland – who plays for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig – also made a mistake shortly afterwards, the Portuguese were able to respond quickly. Whilst building up play, Nyland played the ball straight into the path of Ramos, who beat the keeper with a superb lob from around 20 metres.