Portugal take top spot in the UEFA Nations League after a trilling 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. He then missed a glorious opportunity in front of goal before scoring from an offside position.

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

Félix striked first

It was a physical battle early on with Norway edging it, the first opportunities falling 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 played in Neto, he tried to step inside Fredrik Aursnes who made an important challenge.

Norway were doing their best to get the ball to Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard succeeding with the striker hitting a weak volley straight at Diogo Costa.

The Seleção took the lead in the in the 17th minute after a great piece of play down the left wing. Nuno Mendes did well to get away from two opponents and release Neto, the winger picking 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, Rúben Dias reacting 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 when the Seleção supporters began 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. 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 as 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 when he dragged down Ryerson. Norway equalised from the resulting free kick in the 51st minute.

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.

Ramos takes centre stage

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. He was spared after a lengthy VAR check caught Ramos narrowly offside.

Ryerson picked up and injury and was replaced by Leo Ostigard before Stale Solbakken 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 making 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 intent and it was fortunate there were not more goals scored.

Jorge Jesus kept his defence intact but made four changes, João Palhinha, João Neves, Francisco Conceição and Gonçalo Ramos coming in for Rúben Neves, Vitinha and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes missing out through injury.

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

João Félix scored first and played the full game, the forward sure to be benefitting from playing in his preferred position and receiving plenty of confidence from Jesus.

Gonçalo Ramos justified his inclusion and was unlucky not to score more than once. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to get off the bench which will be sure to receive plenty of attention.

Jesus stayed true to his pre-game assertion when he said: “I'm going to field a team that I see more offensively than defensively.”

Stale Solbakken thought his side were superior and should have won the match, but few would doubt that Diogo Costa is far superior than Orjan Nyland.

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