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Portugal vs Norway: Ramos Scores as Ronaldo Stays on Bench

Portugal vs Norway ended 2–1 in Oslo on Sunday night as Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal after Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench for the entire match.

João Félix opened the scoring for Portugal after 17 minutes before Erling Haaland equalised early in the second half. Just three minutes later, Ramos restored Portugal’s lead after capitalising on a mistake from Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.

Ronaldo watched from the bench throughout the match. The 41-year-old had started Portugal’s 1–0 victory over Wales three days earlier, but Jorge Jesus selected Ramos to lead the attack at Ullevaal Stadion. Ronaldo warmed up during the second half but was never introduced.

Portugal held on to secure their second victory from two matches in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League and move to the top of Group A4.

Portugal vs Norway: Match Summary

Competition: UEFA Nations League 2026/27
Group: League A, Group 4
Venue: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
Final score: Norway 1–2 Portugal

Portugal scorers: João Félix 17′, Gonçalo Ramos 54′
Norway scorer: Erling Haaland 51′
Cristiano Ronaldo: Unused substitute
Portugal record: Two wins from two

Portugal now have six points from their opening two matches. Norway and Denmark have three points each, while Wales remain without a point.

Ronaldo Starts on the Bench for Portugal

The biggest surprise came before kick-off when Ronaldo was named among Portugal’s substitutes.

Ramos was selected at centre-forward after Ronaldo had started against Wales three days earlier. The Portugal captain had failed to score in that match despite having several opportunities.

Against Norway, Jorge Jesus chose a different attacking approach.

Ramos provided mobility in attack and spent much of the match pressing Norway’s defenders and goalkeeper when the hosts attempted to build from the back.

That pressure eventually played a role in the winning goal.

Ronaldo remained available and warmed up during the second half. However, Jesus decided not to introduce him after Ramos scored and continued to perform well.

The manager later explained that he had initially planned to give Ronaldo around half an hour, but the way the match developed changed those plans.

João Félix Gives Portugal the Lead

Norway created the first major opportunity of the match.

Martin Ødegaard picked out Haaland, but the striker failed to make clean contact with his volley and Diogo Costa collected the ball comfortably.

Portugal responded quickly.

A fast attacking move ended with Pedro Neto finding João Félix near the edge of the penalty area. Félix produced a precise finish into the bottom corner to put Portugal ahead in the 17th minute.

It was Félix’s second goal in as many Nations League matches after he scored the winner against Wales.

His early form has been one of the positive features of Jorge Jesus’s first international window.

Portugal have plenty of attacking options, but Félix has quickly given the new manager another reason to consider him for a regular starting role.

Haaland Equalises for Norway

Norway continued to threaten after falling behind.

Haaland remained a major problem for Portugal’s defence and came close to equalising several times before half-time.

One chance looked certain to produce a goal after Costa spilled the ball into Haaland’s path, but Rúben Dias produced an important block against his Manchester City teammate.

Costa later denied Haaland again with a strong save from a downward header.

Portugal had received their warning.

Six minutes after half-time, Haaland finally found the equaliser.

Patrick Berg sent the ball back across the penalty area and Haaland arrived to finish from close range and make it 1–1.

The goal was Haaland’s 65th for Norway and his 22nd in the Nations League, extending his record as the competition’s leading scorer.

For a brief period, Norway appeared to have taken control of the match.

Ramos Scores the Portugal Winner

The decisive moment came in the 54th minute.

Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland attempted to play the ball out from the back but sent his pass towards Ramos.

The Portuguese striker reacted immediately.

With Nyland outside his goal, Ramos calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Portugal were back in front.

Ramos had been selected to replace Ronaldo in the starting eleven and responded with the winning goal.

The finish was simple but composed. Nyland made the mistake, while Ramos recognised the opportunity immediately.

Portugal led 2–1 and Norway’s momentum disappeared almost as quickly as it had arrived.

Ramos Has Another Goal Disallowed

Ramos nearly scored again later in the second half.

Another misunderstanding involving Nyland allowed the Portugal striker to reach the ball before the goalkeeper and roll it into an empty net.

Portugal appeared to have secured a third goal, but VAR intervened.

Ramos had moved marginally offside and the goal was ruled out.

Portugal also came close through Rafael Leão, whose deflected effort struck the crossbar.

Instead of extending their advantage, Portugal had to defend a narrow lead as Norway increased the pressure.

Portugal Survive Norway’s Late Pressure

Norway pushed players forward during the closing stages.

Even Nyland moved into attacking areas as the hosts searched for an equaliser.

Portugal’s approach changed completely.

The attacking combinations from the opening stages gave way to defensive concentration. Rúben Dias and his teammates dealt with crosses, second balls and the constant threat of Haaland.

Portugal managed to hold on.

The final whistle confirmed an important away victory and preserved Jorge Jesus’s perfect start as Portugal manager.

Two matches have produced two victories.

Portugal have scored three goals and conceded only once.

Why Didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo Play Against Norway?

Ronaldo was fit and available but remained on the bench for the entire match.

Jesus explained after the game that he had initially planned to introduce his captain during the second half. However, Ramos was performing well, had scored and later had another goal disallowed.

With Portugal protecting a narrow lead, Jesus decided against replacing Ramos with Ronaldo.

The decision was therefore based on the development of the match rather than Ronaldo being unable to play.

According to match reporting, it was the first time since June 2008 that Ronaldo had remained on the bench for an entire competitive Portugal match despite being available.

The previous occasion came against Switzerland at Euro 2008.

The decision does not mean Ronaldo’s international career is over, and Jesus did not suggest that it was.

Instead, the match showed that Portugal’s manager is willing to use different attacking options depending on the requirements of a particular game.

What Does Ramos’s Performance Mean for Ronaldo?

One match should not automatically become a succession battle.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and one of the most experienced players in international football.

However, Ramos has given Jesus another genuine attacking option.

He did more than score against Norway. His pressing made life difficult for Norway’s defenders and goalkeeper, while his willingness to chase loose balls helped create the situation that produced the winning goal.

That gives Jesus another tactical option.

There will be matches where Ronaldo’s movement and finishing remain important. There may also be matches where Portugal want a striker capable of pressing defenders repeatedly and stretching the opposition without the ball.

Jesus does not necessarily have to choose one centre-forward permanently.

The Portugal vs Norway match showed that he now has alternatives.

Haaland Scores but Norway Waste Chances

The final result will frustrate Norway.

Haaland scored again, Ødegaard created dangerous moments and the hosts produced enough opportunities to take something from the match.

Their biggest problem came at the other end.

Nyland’s mistake handed Portugal the winning goal only minutes after Norway had equalised.

Against the defending Nations League champions, mistakes of that size can be costly.

Haaland nevertheless continues to produce impressive numbers for Norway.

His 65th international goal also took him to 22 Nations League goals, extending his position as the competition’s all-time leading scorer.

Norway have one of international football’s most dangerous forwards, but the rest of the team must make their chances count.

João Félix Impresses Under Jorge Jesus

Ramos will take much of the attention after scoring the winner, but João Félix also deserves recognition.

He scored Portugal’s only goal against Wales and followed it with another excellent finish in Oslo.

Two matches under Jesus have brought two goals.

Portugal have considerable attacking depth. Ronaldo, Ramos, Félix, Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto and others give Jesus several possible combinations.

Félix’s ability to operate around a central striker also gives the manager tactical flexibility.

He can move between wider and central areas without requiring an immediate substitution.

Against Norway, that movement helped Portugal create problems even without Ronaldo on the pitch.

Portugal Lead Nations League Group A4

The victory leaves Portugal with six points from their opening two matches.

After two rounds, the Group A4 standings are:

Position	Team	Played	Points	Goal Difference
1	Portugal	2	6	+2
2	Norway	2	3	0
3	Denmark	2	3	+1
4	Wales	2	0	-3

Portugal are the only team in the group with a perfect record after two rounds.

The start has been positive for Jesus, although the performances have not always been comfortable.

Wales remained within one goal until the end, while Norway created several opportunities in Oslo.

Portugal nevertheless have six points from six.

For a new manager establishing his ideas while managing a team that still includes an experienced captain such as Ronaldo, the early results provide useful breathing room.

Portugal Show They Can Win Without Ronaldo

The biggest discussion after the match will naturally centre on Ronaldo’s absence.

Can Portugal win without Cristiano Ronaldo?

In Oslo, they did.

The more important question is what the victory tells Jesus about the attacking options available to him.

Portugal did not suddenly become a different team simply because Ronaldo remained on the bench. Nor should one Ramos goal determine who starts every future match.

What changed was the structure of the attack.

Ramos pressed and chased defenders before eventually benefiting from the mistake that produced the winning goal. Félix found space around him, while Neto provided width.

Portugal showed they could threaten Norway without building every attack around their famous No.7.

For Jesus, that gives him another option.

Ronaldo can still have a role.

Portugal now have alternatives.

What Next for Portugal and Ronaldo?

Portugal’s next Nations League match will again be against Norway, this time on home soil on 4 October.

That creates an immediate selection question.

Will Ronaldo return to the starting eleven?

Or will Ramos keep his place after scoring the winner in Oslo?

Jesus has already indicated that his decisions will depend on the requirements of individual matches.

Ronaldo’s response will also attract attention.

The Portugal captain has spent years as the focal point of the national team. A situation in which his starts and minutes are managed more selectively represents a different role for the veteran forward.

For Portugal, competition for places gives Jesus more options.

The defending Nations League champions have started the new campaign with six points from six.

Portugal vs Norway: Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Portugal vs Norway?

Portugal beat Norway 2–1 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo in the UEFA Nations League.

Who scored for Portugal against Norway?

João Félix opened the scoring in the 17th minute, while Gonçalo Ramos scored Portugal’s winning goal in the 54th minute.

Did Cristiano Ronaldo play against Norway?

No. Ronaldo was named among Portugal’s substitutes but remained on the bench for the entire match.

Why didn’t Ronaldo play against Norway?

Jorge Jesus said he had considered introducing Ronaldo in the second half, but the development of the match and Ramos’s performance changed his plans.

Did Erling Haaland score against Portugal?

Yes. Haaland equalised for Norway in the 51st minute.

How many international goals does Haaland have?

Haaland’s goal against Portugal was his 65th senior international goal for Norway.

How many Nations League goals does Haaland have?

Haaland has scored 22 Nations League goals, the competition record.

Who scored the winning goal in Portugal vs Norway?

Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner after intercepting a poor pass from Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.

Where are Portugal in the Nations League group?

Portugal lead Group A4 with six points after winning their opening two matches.

Final Thoughts

The build-up to Portugal vs Norway had been presented as a meeting between Haaland and Ronaldo.

The match became something different.

Haaland scored, but Ronaldo never entered the pitch. Instead, Gonçalo Ramos took his place in the starting lineup and scored the goal that decided the contest.

That made Portugal’s victory in Oslo particularly notable.

Jorge Jesus showed that he was prepared to change his attacking setup. Ramos took his opportunity, João Félix scored for the second consecutive match, and Portugal defended their lead when Norway pushed for an equaliser.

Ronaldo remains an important part of Portugal’s plans, but the match showed that the team has other attacking options.

For the defending Nations League champions, that could become an important part of their campaign.