Goncalo Ramos strike sinks Norway as Ronaldo watches from Portugal bench
Goncalo Ramos scored the winner as Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo, with Cristiano Ronaldo left on the bench for the first time since September 2024.
Goncalo Ramos struck the winner as Portugal made it back-to-back Nations League victories with a 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo on Sunday.
Ramos started in place of Cristiano Ronaldo and capitalised on an error from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who passed the ball straight to the striker for him to chip home. The 41-year-old Ronaldo was named among the substitutes for the first time since a Nations League game against Scotland in September 2024 and did not get on the pitch.
Joao Felix gave the holders the lead in the 17th minute with a fine finish from the edge of the box, and Erling Haaland finally converted for Norway six minutes into the second half, tapping in from Patrick Berg’s header. Ramos’s winner came immediately afterwards.
Nyland had his blushes spared when a VAR review ruled out another opportunistic Ramos effort for offside, and Norway threw everyone forward late on but could not find a leveller.
Jorge Jesus’s side top Group A4 with two wins from two after Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Wales. Norway were left to rue wasteful finishing after failing to build on their opening 3-2 win over Denmark.
Sources
- Al Jazeera, “Ramos fires holders Portugal to 2-1 Nations League win in Norway”, 27 Sept 2026: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/27/ramos-fires-holders-portugal-to-2-1-nations-league-win-in-norway
- 101 Great Goals, “Norway 1-2 Portugal: Report, result, goals as Ramos scores winner after replacing Ronaldo in starting lineup”, 27 Sept 2026: https://www.101greatgoals.com/football/internationals/norway-portugal-report-result-goals-nations-league/
More on this topic: all Sport stories
