Portugal 2-1 Norway: reverse win, go to

Portugal 2-1 Norway: reverse win, go to

According to Vnexpress.

Context

Portugal, as a prominent UEFA Nations League club, continues to promote their reputation in international football. Their ability to win even without Ronaldo highlighted the depth and quality of their squad, which will be vital in their journey to the UEFA Nations League.

Why it matters

Portugal's win over Norway not only allowed them to enter the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League 2026–2027, but also proved their ability to rise even without their iconic captain Cristiano Ronaldo. This victory shows the depth of their squad and the ability of players like Bruno Fernandes and João Cancelo to lead the match.

Key Points

• Portugal 2-1 Norway: reverse win, in.
• Portugal's 2-1 reverse against Norway in Porto, enough to seal an early ticket to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League 2026-2027 even without Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Bồ Đào Nha hường Na Uy, vạo tứ kọng Nations League.

Even without their captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal showed resilience in front of their home crowd and defeated Norway, 2-1, in the fourth match of Group A4 of the UEFA Nations League 2026–2027 at the Estadio do Dragão, Porto on October 4. Despite the absence of Ronaldo—who has returned home to Saudi Arabia—he was still the center of attention before the game's whistle. In the pre-match press conference, Bruno Fernandes and coach Jorge Jesus were repeatedly asked about the 41-year-old striker. Fernandes called for division to be avoided, while Jesus chose to focus the discourse on action on the pitch. In the stands, a large banner reading "Capitão valente e imortal" (brave and immortal captain) greeted them in support of their idol Ronaldo, and there were a few more boos when Jesus' name was announced—a sign of the tension in the pre-match air. When the game came, the Selecção quickly left all outside noise behind. Portugal claimed the ball and repeatedly stretched the Norwegian defense on both wings. On the right, João Cancelo continuously went up to connect with Francisco Conceição, while Bruno Fernandes often deviated laterally to the left to connect with Nuno Mendes. In the 22nd minute, Cancelo gave an early warning with a powerful shot that Egil Selvik had to save. The threats carried by Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos and Mendes continued one after the other, but the intensive low block of the visitors stood firm. Against the flow of the game, Norway broke through in the 36th minute. From Martin Ødegaard's long pass along the right side of the box, Kristoffer Ajer controlled and then unleashed a clean kick with the outside of his right foot—crossing and landing in the far corner just beyond Diogo Costa's reach. The Dragão was stopped for a moment, but it only lasted two minutes. From Mendes' strong throw-in, Cancelo met the ball on the edge of the area and fired a right-foot volley into the upper corner—a feat that Selvik couldn't reach.

Portugal were more organized afterwards, using circulation in the middle with Vitinha and João Félix playing between the lines, while João Palhinha moved in to add to the numbers up front. Erling Haaland was still a threat for Norway, but he was held back by the tandem of Rúben Dias and Renato Veiga who almost suffocated his spaces—a far cry from the first game in Oslo in which he broke through on the record. In the second half, Portugal remained patient. Norway retreated more and relied on sudden counterattacks, causing the hosts to spin the ball outside the box. The rare breakthrough came in the 79th minute: Vitinha blew the attack with a crafty pass in, Félix intercepted and immediately reached the middle, just for Ramos to meet and tap in a close-range finish for 2-1. The Dragão exploded—the third straight match in which Ramos has been on target in Ronaldo's absence, following nets against Norway (2-1) and Denmark (4-2) in earlier games. The final period heated up when Francisco Conceição received two yellows in the 86th—first for an alleged simulation inside the box and then for complaining to referee Maurizio Mariani. Despite the 10-men finish, Portugal firmly defended the lead until the final whistle. With 12 points from 4 matches, Portugal sealed their ticket to the quarterfinals for the first time in Group A4. Denmark is second with 6 points, while Norway and Wales have 3 points each. In the remaining two matches, Portugal will host Denmark on November 14 and visit Wales on November 17. The two legs of the League A quarterfinals will be played from March 25–30, 2027, and will be followed by the final four from June 9–13, 2027—one leg for the semifinals, third-place playoff, and final.

What's next

With their victory, Portugal are expected to continue their good run in the UEFA Nations League, giving a positive outlook for their season outlook. The next matches will be important to maintain the momentum and secure their position in the next stage of the competition, while continuing to face challenges from their group opponents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score of the match between Portugal and Norway?

The match ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of Portugal.

What effect does Portugal's win have on their standings in the UEFA Nations League?

With the win, Portugal qualified for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League 2026–2027.

Who were the main players who played for Portugal in the match?

Portugal's key players include Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos, and João Cancelo.

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When is Portugal's next UEFA Nations League match?

Portugal's next match is not stated in the article.

Why isn't Cristiano Ronaldo in this match?

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be in the match because he has returned home to Saudi Arabia.

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