Portugal maintained their perfect start in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo — all while 41-year-old superstar Cristiano Ronaldo watched the entire 90 minutes from the substitute bench.
Roberto Martínez opted for a younger attacking line-up featuring João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos, and the tactical gamble paid off handsomely as Portugal claimed all three points to stay top of Group D.
Match Summary — Félix and Ramos Deliver in Oslo
Portugal started on the front foot and took the lead in the 17th minute when João Félix capped off a swift attacking move with a composed finish into the bottom corner. It was Félix’s second goal in as many international appearances for Seleção das Quinas.
Norway fought back aggressively in the second half, relying heavily on their home crowd and pressing high up the pitch. However, a defensive blunder proved costly shortly after Norway had leveled the game.
In the 54th minute, a mistake by Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland allowed Gonçalo Ramos to pounce on a loose ball and restore Portugal’s lead, securing the crucial 2-1 win away from home.
Haaland Strikes Again for Norway
Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland was once again the focal point for the host nation. Haaland brought Norway back into the match in the 51st minute, tapping in from close range after a precise setup from Patrick Berg.
The goal marked Haaland’s 65th international career goal and his 22nd in Nations League history, cementing his status as the all-time leading scorer in the competition’s history. Despite his efforts and six goal attempts during the match, Norway could not find a second equalizer.
Why Cristiano Ronaldo Remained on the Bench
With Ronaldo currently sitting on 979 career goals and chasing the legendary 1,000-goal benchmark, many fans expected the veteran forward to feature in the second half.
However, manager Roberto Martínez utilized all five of his allowed substitutions — introducing Rafael Leão, Vitinha, Rúben Neves, Francisco Trincão, and Bernardo Silva — leaving Ronaldo as an unused substitute. Martínez highlighted the need for tactical fluidity and rotation during a congested international window.
Portugal now sit atop Group D with 6 points from two games as they prepare for their next matchday fixture.
Match Statistics — Norway vs Portugal (1-2)
| Statistic | Norway 🇳🇴 | Portugal 🇵🇹 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Total Shots | 20 | 9 |
| Shots on Goal | 8 | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 86% | 82% |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 7 |
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