Ronaldo-less Portugal beat Norway to secure Nations League quarter-final spot
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Porto in their UEFA Nations League Group A4 match, claiming a fourth win in four games and becoming the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals — all without captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The match
On Sunday, October 4, Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto in matchday four of UEFA Nations League Group A4. Norway took a surprise lead in the 36th minute when defender Kristoffer Ajer controlled Martin Ødegaard's cross on his chest and curled a half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the box. Portugal equalised just two minutes later through João Cancelo, who smashed home a powerful strike from a similar distance after a long throw-in from Nuno Mendes. Gonçalo Ramos, starting in place of Ronaldo, scored the winner with 11 minutes left, finishing from close range after a lay-off from João Félix.
Portugal finished the match with ten men after Francisco Conceição was sent off in the 87th minute for two quick yellow cards for dissent, having unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty. Norway's Erling Haaland had a chance to level in the second half but was substituted in the 67th minute — according to BBC, possibly due to an injury — and replaced, per RFI, by Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Context
The win was Portugal's fourth from four Nations League games under new head coach Jorge Jesus, making them the first team to secure qualification for the tournament's quarter-finals, with two group games still to play. Portugal now lead Group A4 with a six-point cushion over second-placed Denmark, who beat Wales 1-0 the same day.
For Norway, it was a third consecutive defeat, following a 1-2 loss to Wales in which Torbjørn Heggem was sent off. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken had said before the game that his side would not sit back against Portugal, but the approach again proved costly.
The result came with Portugal missing captain Cristiano Ronaldo, the country's all-time top scorer, who left the national team camp ahead of the previous match against Denmark after learning he would not start. According to Sports Illustrated, Ronaldo's camp described it as a "betrayal," and the Portuguese Football Federation reportedly tried to persuade him to return. Teammates João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes said after the match that Ronaldo would be welcomed back with open arms. Coach Jesus is expected to address the situation after this game, BBC reported.
