Portugal Reach Nations League Quarter-Finals with 2-1 Win Over Norway

Ramos seals qualification in Porto

Portugal secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals scheduled for March 2027 after defeating Norway 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto on Sunday. Norway opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer converted a dipping half-volley from the edge of the penalty box. Portugal responded two minutes later through Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo, who leveled the match with a 20-yard strike into the top corner. Striker Goncalo Ramos netted the winning goal 11 minutes from time, redirecting the ball with his calf after Joao Felix headed across the face of goal. Portugal finished the match with ten men after Francisco Conceicao received two yellow cards in rapid succession for dissent in the 86th minute, having sarcastically applauded the referee after an unsuccessful penalty appeal. Manchester City forward Erling Haaland missed a chance around the hour mark before being replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Jorge Jesus on Cristiano Ronaldo

The victory concluded an eventful week for Portugal following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad on Wednesday. Ronaldo left the training camp ahead of the previous fixture against Denmark after learning he would not be in the starting lineup. Coach Jorge Jesus, who took charge of the national team and won his first four fixtures, addressed the situation during his post-match press conference, describing the episode as a misunderstanding. Jesus noted that no resentment remained and that the matter could be resolved before the next international window.

I do not know what will happen. For me, everything is open. Cris has to decide his own life. In the next call-up, if Cris is playing and wants to be in the national team, why not?

Perfect start in Group A4

The result gave Portugal 12 points from four matches, representing the best start in the team's Nations League history. Under Jesus, Portugal had previously defeated Wales 1-0 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Norway 2-1 in Oslo, and Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen. Portugal lead Group A4 by six points over Denmark, who claimed a 1-0 away victory against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday. In that match, Denmark secured the win when Rasmus Hojlund converted a 75th-minute penalty after Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward fouled Gustav Isaksen. The outcome leaves Denmark second with six points, while Wales and Norway remain tied on three points each.

Action across Group A2

In Group A2, the Netherlands moved to the top of the standings following a 2-1 home victory against Serbia in Eindhoven. Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk celebrated his 100th international cap as Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring with a 31st-minute free kick. Serbia leveled four minutes later when teenager Mihajlo Cvetkovic scored his first international goal with a header from an Aleksa Terzic cross. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute, finishing a move involving Denzel Dumfries and Tijjani Reijnders. In the group's other fixture, Germany drew 0-0 against Greece in Thessaloniki after an effort by Jonathan Burkardt in the 32nd minute was overturned by video assistant review due to a handball by Tom Bischof.