Ramos fires holders Portugal to 2-1 Nations League win in Norway

Portugal continued their strong start to the UEFA Nations League title defence with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo. João Félix opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a composed finish from the edge of the area, and Erling Haaland levelled early in the second half after tapping in from a Patrick Berg header across goal. The match was decided when Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland misdirected a pass to Gonçalo Ramos, who seized the opportunity and chipped the ball into the net to restore Portugal’s lead. The game featured several key interventions from Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who denied Haaland on multiple occasions, and a notable goal-line block from Ruben Dias that prevented an immediate Norway lead after a Costa spill. Haaland had earlier missed a gilt-edged chance when he mishit a volley following a Martin Ødegaard pass. Portugal were also awarded a goal in the later stages that was subsequently ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside against Ramos. Manager Jorge Jesus made a notable selection choice by naming Cristiano Ronaldo among the substitutes — the first time Ronaldo has been omitted from the starting XI for Portugal since a Nations League match against Scotland in September 2024 — as part of an attempt to manage player minutes across the extended international window. The win follows Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Wales in Group A4 on Thursday, lifting the team’s momentum after their World Cup last-16 exit to Spain. After the match, Ramos described the result as an important away win against a strong Norway side, saying the team is adopting Jesus’s ideas and aiming to keep improving. Norway pressed hard late, even committing goalkeeper Nyland forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a second goal and had to settle for a single point-less defeat in Oslo.