Goncalo Ramos started in place of Cristiano Ronaldo and scored the winner as Portugal made it back-to-back victories to start their UEFA Nations League title defence by beating Norway 2-1 in Oslo on Sunday. Jorge Jesus’s men have responded well to their tame World Cup last-16 loss to Spain, having also beaten Wales 1-0 in Group A4 on Thursday. The 41-year-old Ronaldo was named among the substitutes for the first time for Portugal since a Nations League game against Scotland in September 2024, and did not get onto the pitch as Jesus looks to manage his minutes across an expanded international break.
His replacement Ramos showed what he could do with his 12th international goal and an industrious performance. The away team quickly made Haaland pay as Joao Felix stroked a fine finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box in the 17th minute. Haaland finally converted six minutes into the second half, tapping in from Patrick Berg’s header across goal.
World Cup quarter-finalists Norway were left to rue some wasteful finishing in front of goal as they failed to build on their opening 3-2 win over Denmark. The Norway talisman was foiled by Costa again 10 minutes before half-time as the ‘keeper made an excellent stop from his downward header.
“It was a demonstration of my work, of what I can offer the team, not just goals, but everything I do on the pitch.”
