Ramos Sinks Norway As Ronaldo Watches On
Goncalo Ramos scored the winner after Ørjan Nyland's blunder as Portugal came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo, with reigning champions moving top of their Nations League group despite leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench all game.
Felix Puts Portugal Ahead Before Haaland Levels
Portugal took the lead in the 17th minute at Ullevaal Stadion when Nuno Mendes drove forward and released Pedro Neto down the left; Neto squared the ball across goal and Joao Felix finished from the edge of the box into the bottom-left corner, his second goal in as many Nations League games. Norway had chances of their own before the break, with Erling Haaland seeing a close-range effort saved by Diogo Costa after combining with Martin Odegaard, and Ruben Dias making a crucial block to deny the striker again. Portugal led 1-0 at half-time despite a bright spell from the hosts. Norway drew level early in the second half when Costa could only parry an Odegaard free-kick, Patrick Berg headed the loose ball back across goal, and Haaland forced it home from close range to make it 1-1.
Ramos Punishes Nyland Blunder To Restore Portugal's Lead
Norway's equaliser did not last long. Moments later, goalkeeper Orjan Nyland played the ball straight to Goncalo Ramos, who chipped it calmly into the net to put Portugal back in front at 2-1. Ramos, who had started ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, thought he had a second when Nyland fumbled another clearance attempt and the ball fell for the striker to tap in, but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up. Rafael Leao also went close, striking the crossbar, while at the other end Martin Odegaard had the ball in the net for Norway but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Renato Veiga in the buildup. The score stayed at 2-1 to Portugal.
Ronaldo An Unused Substitute As Jesus Wins Again
Cristiano Ronaldo was named among the substitutes rather than the starting eleven and did not come on during the match, the first time he has been left out of Portugal's starting lineup for a Nations League fixture since a game against Scotland in September 2024. The result gave new head coach Jorge Jesus a second straight win since replacing Roberto Martinez after the 2026 World Cup, and moved Portugal top of Group A4 in League A of the Nations League. Norway, beaten for the first time in the group, had opened their own campaign with a 3-2 win over Denmark earlier in the international window.
Photo: www.fpf.pt/pt/News