A barnburner is in store as the UEFA Nations League presents us with a clash between Norway and Portugal. This game coincidentally puts two of the best goalscorers against each other in Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland, though Ronaldo is starting on the bench today.
Both teams won their first Nations League matchups. Portugal was barely able to beat Wales 1-0 at home, despite Ronaldo having plenty of chances to score. In the end, it was none other than Joao Felix the one scoring.
As for Norway, the Vikings beat Denmark 3-2 in a highly-contested matchup. Needless to say, it was Haaland saving the day as the Man City striker scored a brace that ended being the reason why Norway won the game.
Norway lineup vs Portugal
Coach Stale Solbakken is using his trademark 4-3-3 formation. That’s what has gotten him all the way to here, and is fresh off a historic World Cup campaign. Hence, don’t fix it if it isn’t broken.
The lineup is as follows: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard; Andreas Schjelderup, Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland.
Portugal lineup vs Norway
Jorge Jesus is starting this new era of Portugal soccer and he is still trying to see what fits and what not. However, there are certain mainstays that will still feature heavily in the lineup. The biggest news today is that Ronaldo isn’t starting as the coach is managing his workload.
Portugal are also going 4-3-3: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Palinha, Pedro Neto; Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Neves.
Key takeaways
- Portugal edged Wales 1-0 in their opening UEFA Nations League fixture via a goal from Joao Felix.
- Erling Haaland scored a brace to secure a 3-2 victory for Norway against Denmark.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is starting on the bench for Portugal.
