Portugal take top spot in the UEFA Nations League after a thrilling 2-1 win in Norway | OneFootball

Portugal made it two from two in the UEFA Nations League after an exhilarating 2-1 victory against Norway in Oslo.

João Félix opened the scoring once again but the hosts hit back, Erling Haaland deservedly equalising after half-time.

Gonçalo Ramos punished a howler from Orjan Nyland to put the Seleção back in front. The striker missed a glorious opportunity in front of goal and scored from an offside position as the hosts stayed in the contest.

Norway tried hard to find another equaliser but fell short, Jorge Jesus’ side going three points clear in Group 4.

Félix strikes first

It was a physical battle early on with Norway edging it, but the opening opportunities fell Portugal’s way as Pedro Neto and João Félix saw their shots blocked.

João Neves headed Francisco Conceição’s cross over the bar before João Cancelo broke free and released in Neto, the winger attempting to step inside Fredrik Aursnes who made an important challenge.

Norway were trying desperately to find Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard the first to succeed with the striker hitting a weak volley straight at Diogo Costa.

The Seleção took the lead in the 17th minute after a great piece of play down the left wing. Nuno Mendes got away from two opponents and sent Neto into space, he picked out Félix who took a touch and found the bottom corner.

Norway fought back and went close to equalising. Costa palmed Odegaard’s cross straight into the path of Haaland who looked certain to score before Rúben Dias reacted to make a vital block.

It was a great battle off the pitch with noise coming from both ends. The home fans were far from impressed with the Seleção supporters who executed a culturally insensitive viking clap.

Norway fight back

The hosts were well on top with Odegaard’s shot deflected wide before his corner was headed off target by Torbjorn Heggem.

Antonio Nusa was giving Cancelo a hard time, his cross picking out Haaland who forced a save from Diogo Costa. The striker then headed Aursnes’ cross wide, Sander Berge saw his shot blocked and Nusa’s shot was deflected over the bar.

Portugal welcomed the half-time break after another Nusa cross found Haaland, Costa up to the task once again.

João Palhinha had been receiving some leniency from referee François Letexier but his luck ran out shortly after the break when he dragged down Ryerson. Norway equalised from the resulting free kick.

Costa slapped Odegaard’s low strike into the path of Patrick Berg, the midfielder heading the ball across to Haaland who converted from close range.

It's the Gonçalo Ramos show

Portugal regained the lead three minutes later after a complete howler from Orjan Nyland. The goalkeeper passed the ball straight to Gonçalo Ramos who kept his composure and lobbed the ball into the back of the net.

João Neves and Francisco Conceição made way for Vitinha and Rafael Leão which saw Neto switch to the right wing.

Jorge Jesus’ side should have made it 3-1 when Ramos won the ball out wide and got it to Félix. The playmaker teed up Leão who saw his shot come back off the bar, Ramos volleying wide when a goal seemed certain.

Nyland’s evening appeared to go from bad to worse when he fluffed a clearance and allowed Costa to find an empty net. The goalkeeper was spared after a lengthy VAR check caught Ramos narrowly offside.

Ryerson picked up and injury and was replaced by Leo Ostigard. Stale Solbakken then made an attacking move, bringing on Oscar Bobb for Patrick Berg.

Vitinha was booked for time wasting and Cancelo joined him after a late shot on Andreas Schjelderup.

Schjelderup missed a great opportunity to find Haaland in front of goal before both managers made changes in the 80th minute. A fatigued Nusa made way for Jorgen Strand Larsen with Palhinha and Ramos replaced by Rúben Neves and Francisco Trincão.

Haaland’s shot was deflected over by Veiga as Bernardo Silva raplced Neto, Portugal holding on to claim victory and take top spot in Group 4.

Great game!

It was a tremendous atmosphere at Ullevaal Stadion and the game did it justice. Both teams played with attacking intent and it was unlucky that more goals were not scored.

Jorge Jesus made four changes despite keeping his defence intact. João Palhinha, João Neves, Francisco Conceição and Gonçalo Ramos came in for Rúben Neves, Vitinha and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes missing out due to injury.

Rúben Dias and Renato Veiga did a solid job on Erling Haaland and João Palhinha proved why he is invaluable against strong and physical teams.

João Félix scored first, played the full game, is benefitting from playing in his preferred position and being trusted by the new manager. He reitereated his role under Jesus and took a dig at Roberto Martinez: "The manager knows me well, he was with me for a year. The fact that I play as a second striker suits me a lot. It's my position, not left winger, not on the wing, it's there."

Gonçalo Ramos justified his inclusion and was unlucky not to score more than once. He spoke to SportTV after the victory: "The most important thing is to show my work whenever I'm called upon and contribute to the team. It was a demonstration of my work, of what I can offer the team, not just goals, but everything I do on the field."

Stale Solbakken thought his side were superior and should have won the match. The statistics go some way to backing up his claim, Norway enjoying 62% possession, 22-12 shots and 2.72-1.03 expected goals.

The statistics don't show Rafael Leão's shot hitting the bar, Ramos' miss and goal that was ruled out for offside. One thing is for sure, Diogo Costa is a far superior goalkeeper than Orjan Nyland and that played a big role in the result.

Jesus knows there is a long way to go: "Look, we didn't beat Azerbaijan or Luxembourg. Maybe this team (Norway) is in the top 5 in Europe. I have to be satisfied. Does this team have more room to grow? Of course. I'm experimenting with real games and, game after game, I'm getting more and more ideas to make decisions."

"We were organised defensively again and more creative offensively, also with the introduction of new players. We were a very calm team on the field. We can do better defensively and on set pieces."

Ronaldo in the spotlight

Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench which will be sure to receive plenty of attention. The last time he failed to get off the bench in a competitive international came in a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Euro 2008 group stage.

He didn't join his teammates in thanking the Portuguese supporters in Oslo.

Jesus spoke about his decision to bench the 41-year-old and keep him on the bench: "Cristiano didn't play today because the game changed my ideas. I had planned for him to play in the second half, but I didn't think it was the right time to put him on."

"But that doesn't mean he won't play in Denmark. I made four changes today, I'm capable of making four or five in Denmark as well."

Ronaldo didn't get off the bench in Oslo (Marius Nordnes/Getty Images)

In regards to Ronaldo ignoring the Portuguese fans, Jesus said: "Only he can answer... Obviously, I have to talk to him, but I know him very well and of course the National Team is the National Team, it's not the same as a club, it's all of us and he, as team captain... At this moment I can't give a concrete answer regarding his thoughts, only after talking to him."

Lineups

Norway (4-3-3): Orjan Nyland; Fredrik Aursnes, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Julian Ryerson (Leo Ostigard 66’); Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg (Oscar Bobb 72’); Andreas Schjelderup, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa (Jorgen Strand Larsen 81’)

Unused subs: Sander Tangvik, Egil Selvik, Odin Bjortuft, Marcus Pedersen, Fredrik Sjovold, Kristian Thorstvedt, Thelo Aasgaard,Ole Blomberg, Erik Botheim

Manager: Stale Solbakken

Portugal (4-4-1-1): Diogo Costa, João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Francisco Conceição (Rafael Leão 56’), João Neves (Vitinha 55’), João Palhinha (Rúben Neves 80’), Pedro Neto (Bernardo Silva 87’); João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos (Francisco Trincão 81’)

Unused subs: Rui Silva, Samuel Soares, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Tavares, Cristiano Ronaldo

Manager: Jorge Jesus