Goncalo Ramos begins instead of Cristiano Ronaldo and scores the winner for Portugal in Oslo.
Printed On 27 Sep 2026
Goncalo Ramos began instead of Cristiano Ronaldo and scored the winner, as Portugal made it back-to-back victories to start out their UEFA Nations League title defence by beating Norway 2-1 in Oslo on Sunday.
Jorge Jesus’s males have responded properly to their tame World Cup last-16 loss to Spain, having additionally crushed Wales 1-0 in Group A4 on Thursday.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo was named among the many substitutes for the primary time for Portugal since a Nations League recreation in opposition to Scotland in September 2024, and didn’t get onto the pitch as Jesus appears to be like to handle his minutes throughout an expanded worldwide break.
World Cup quarterfinalists Norway have been left to rue some wasteful ending in entrance of purpose as they didn’t construct on their opening 3-2 win over Denmark.
The primary huge probability fell to Erling Haaland, however the Manchester Metropolis striker mishit his tried volley after being picked out by Martin Odegaard, and Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa made the save.
The away staff shortly made Haaland pay, as Joao Felix stroked a high quality end into the underside nook from the sting of the field within the seventeenth minute.
Haaland seemed sure to equalise shortly afterwards when Costa spilled the ball into his path, however he was denied by an outstanding block from his Metropolis teammate Ruben Dias.
Costa foiled the Norway talisman once more 10 minutes earlier than half-time because the goalkeeper made a wonderful cease from Haaland’s downward header.
Haaland lastly transformed six minutes into the second half, tapping in from Patrick Berg’s header throughout purpose.
However Norway gave again the lead instantly, as goalkeeper Orjan Nyland handed the ball straight to Ramos, who coolly chipped it into the web.
Rafael Leao had a shot deflected onto the crossbar as Portugal pushed to make the sport protected.
Nyland had his blushes spared when a VAR evaluate dominated out one other opportunistic Ramos effort for the tightest of offsides.
The goalkeeper waited for a protracted move excessive to achieve him, then took a swipe at skinny air as Ramos bought to the ball earlier than him and rolled it into an empty internet.
Norway threw everybody ahead, together with Nyland, within the closing phases, however couldn’t discover one other leveller.
Ramos instructed Sport TV that it was an vital win in opposition to a troublesome Norway aspect.
“It’s a terrific win on a tough away journey. It’s been a terrific begin [for new boss Jorge Jesus]. We’re working collectively and taking the supervisor’s concepts on board properly,” he stated.
“From right here on, it’s all about bettering and ironing out the kinks. We wish to win each recreation. We’re at all times targeted on victory in each match.”
