Portugal maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Nations League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Sunday, with João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos finding the net before Erling Haaland pulled one back for the hosts.
The reigning Nations League champions entered the second Group A4 fixture looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Wales, while Norway were also confident after defeating Denmark 3-2 in their opening match.
The encounter quickly developed into an entertaining contest, with Norway enjoying more possession and creating several dangerous opportunities, but Portugal proved more clinical when their chances arrived.
Cristiano Ronaldo was surprisingly left on the bench by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, meaning the much-anticipated meeting between Ronaldo and Haaland did not take place from the start. Gonçalo Ramos was instead selected in attack alongside João Félix.
Norway created the first major opportunity when Martin Ødegaard released Haaland inside the penalty area. The Manchester City striker controlled the ball before firing a first-time effort towards goal, but Diogo Costa reacted brilliantly at his near post to keep Portugal level.
Portugal then showed their efficiency in the 17th minute.
Nuno Mendes won possession and the move eventually developed through Pedro Neto, who found João Félix around the edge of the penalty area. Félix took a touch before sending a low right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner, leaving Ørjan Nyland with little chance.
The goal gave Portugal a 1-0 lead, with Pedro Neto officially credited with the assist.
Norway refused to panic and continued to threaten Portugal’s defence. Haaland came close again after Antonio Nusa delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but his downward header was brilliantly stopped by Costa.
The Portuguese goalkeeper was becoming increasingly important as Norway searched for an equaliser. Patrick Berg and Torbjørn Heggem also had opportunities from set pieces, although neither could find the target.
Haaland thought he had another clear chance when Costa spilled a low cross into his path, but Rúben Dias produced an excellent recovery challenge to prevent the striker from finishing from close range.
Portugal carried their 1-0 advantage into half-time, but Norway’s pressure eventually paid off shortly after the restart.
The equaliser arrived in the 51st minute when Ødegaard’s delivery created danger inside the Portuguese penalty area. Costa made the initial save, but Patrick Berg headed the loose ball back into the danger zone and Haaland reacted quickest, steering the ball into the net from close range.
The goal made it 1-1 and gave Haaland his second goal of the Nations League campaign. Berg was credited with the assist.
Norway had barely recovered from the celebrations when Portugal struck again.
Just three minutes later, goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland made a disastrous mistake while attempting to play the ball out from the back. Gonçalo Ramos seized possession and found himself with an open route towards goal.
Rather than rushing his finish, the Portuguese striker calmly lifted the ball over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net to restore Portugal’s lead at 2-1.
It was a costly error from Nyland and a moment of outstanding composure from Ramos. The goal came in the 54th minute and ultimately proved decisive.
Portugal then came close to adding a third.
Rafael Leão, shortly after coming onto the pitch, produced a dangerous effort that took a deflection off Fredrik Aursnes before crashing against the crossbar. Ramos reacted quickest to the rebound but could not keep his follow-up attempt inside the frame.
Ramos appeared to have scored again moments later when another mistake from Nyland presented him with an opportunity. However, the striker was in an offside position and the goal was ruled out following a VAR review.
Norway continued to push for another equaliser, with Andreas Schjelderup going close after being found inside the box. The forward delayed his shot before firing directly at Costa, who again made the save.
The hosts finished the match with greater possession and more attempts, but Portugal’s goalkeeper repeatedly kept Norway at bay. Costa finished the contest with seven saves, while Norway registered 20 shots compared with Portugal’s nine.
The physical nature of the game was also reflected in the disciplinary record. Norway’s Julian Ryerson was booked in the 16th minute for dangerous play, while Fredrik Aursnes and Kristoffer Ajer also received yellow cards.
Portugal collected six yellow cards during the match, with João Palhinha, Renato Veiga, Vitinha, João Cancelo, Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva all cautioned. There were no red cards.
Despite Norway’s late pressure, Portugal held firm through the closing minutes to secure a valuable away victory.
The result gives Jorge Jesus two wins from his first two competitive matches as Portugal coach and leaves the defending Nations League champions top of Group A4 with six points. Norway remain on three points after two matches.
For Portugal, the victory was built on clinical finishing and an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Costa. Félix provided the early breakthrough, Ramos capitalised on Nyland’s costly mistake, and Costa repeatedly denied Haaland and Norway’s other attackers.
For Norway, Haaland’s goal and constant threat offered encouragement, but their failure to convert several chances proved costly.
In the end, Portugal survived a demanding night in Oslo, beating Norway 2-1 and taking another important step in their defence of the UEFA Nations League title.
