Portugal beats Norway 2-1 without Cristiano Ronaldo in UEFA Nations League

Goals from Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos give Portugal a massive win at Oslo against Norway!

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Norway sent its goalkeeper to add more men to the box but Haaland's header goes wide of goal.

Seems like that was the last chance for Norway.

Schjelderup tries to create something out of nothing but his cross is deflected and Costa controls it without giving up a rebound.

Portugal has taken the ball away from Norway that watches the clock move against its objectives.

Haaland shot from outside the box but Renato Veiga mades a tackle just in time to send it to the corner kick.

On the corner, Ajer heads it over the bar.

While the windows for counter attacks are there, some Portugal players also know icing the game requires to slow it down.

The Lusos must make a decision before any miscommunications happen.

Schjelderup had a good chance but Costa's positioning allowed him to make a key save!

The final 15 minutes are about to be played as Joao Cancelo gets booked for a yellow.

Expect Norway to go all-out in the attack.

Norway easily gets to the border of Portugal's boxes. However, they pass it too much.

That allows Portugal to get back in formation and defend.

Portugal and Norway are playing very aggressive right now. Much fouls and a couple of bookings.

Referee must restore order or the game will slip out of his hands.

Norway's mistakes made life easier for Portugal.

Now the home team looks desperate and completely baffled.

Ramors' brace is erased and Nyland's mistake won't matter as a millimetric offside took the goal away.

Leao shoots and is deflected! With Nyland already beaten, luck was on Norway's side as the ball clashes on the post.

Nyland tries to get a buildup going, but he gifts the ball to Ramos who lobs it over him!

Martin Odegaard's free kick is bounced by Costa, but the rebound favors Norway and the ball ends up in Haaland's left foot who pushes it to the back of the net! We're tied!

The second half begins with a Norway team trying to tie the game at home.

• Norway has had more possession with 59%
• Norway leads the game in shots with 15 to Portugal's 8
• Norway has completed 248 passes to Portugal's 170.
• Norway has had more corner kicks with 4 opposed to Portugal's 2.

Portugal leads the game 0-1. That's how cruel soccer can be for some teams.

The first half is over after a back-and-forth 45 minutes of action.

Joao Felix's sole goal is the difference-maker right now.

Nusa tries his luck from outside and gets deflected! However, the deflection almost ends in a goal for Norway.

Norway is putting up a huge dose of intensity. Portugal barely hanging on but committing plenty of fouls to try to slow Norway down.

However, the Vikings are creating danger on set pieces.

Haaland is so dangerous! He got a strong header to bounce just in front of Portugal's goal, but Costa was quick to react and save the ball.

Francisco Conceicao tried his luck from outside the box with a driven low shot but it goes wide by a few inches!

While Norway has taken the initiative, every time Portugal counters with speed, it creates some sort of danger.

Very interesting game so far.

The Vikings are putting too much pressure. After a mishandled cross by Diogo Costa, Haaland pushed the ball towards the net on the rebound but Ruben Dias slides just in time to deflect the ball!

Set pieces could be crucial for Norway. They manage to get Ajer in a good spot inside the box but the center back's volley goes sky-high.

A slick touch by Joao Felix who receives the ball from Neto and smoothly places the ball in the bottom left corner! Impossible for Nyland to save.

Huge moment for Portugal!

Norway attacks and Odegaard places a magnificent through ball to Haaland who shoots instantly but Costa saves it with his knee!

Joao Neves heads a cross from Conceicao, though his efforts go far above the post. Neves is an aerial threat despite his small frame.

While uneventful so far, the game has started to sway in Portugal's favor now, with Norway using the counter attack as its main source of danger right now.

Norway was too comfortable so Portugal is pressing high now and it is working to wonders. Norway is not able to build up plays!

Norway is trying to make long possessions, while Portugal wishes to instill pace into the game.

Norway's tactic is getting the best in the styles' matchup.

The first half is rolling at the Ullevaal Stadion!

Norway gets the first possession.

The guys in charge of commanding order and discipline for this game between Norway and Portugal are mainly French:

• Ref: Francois Letexier
• Assistant 1: Cyril Mugnier
• Assistant 2: Mehdi Rahmouni
• VAR: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)
• AVAR: Nicolas Rainville
• Fourth official: Jeremie Pignard

Cristiano Ronaldo isn't starting for Portugal vs Norway. The last time he didn't start a game for Portugal was back in September 2024, when Portugal played vs. Scotland.

Portugal will end up using a 4-2-3-1 formation: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto; Goncalo Ramos.

Meanwhile, Norway will use a 4-3-3 formation: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard; Andreas Schjelderup, Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland.

• Norway has won 3/4 most recent games against Portugal.
• There's been at least three games in 6/7 last games between both teams.
• Both teams have scored in 13/14 most recent games between them.
• Norway scored first in 6/7 last games between these two teams.

It's a battle of star-studded teams between Norway and Portugal!

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