Portugal claimed all three points after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norway in their home ground to continue their winning streak at the UEFA Nations League.
The visitors showed their quality in key moments without Cristiano Ronaldo starting to edge past a Norway side led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
The visitors made a bright start and took the lead in the 17th minute through Joao Felix who made sure his finishing was well-done to open the scoring.
The forward finished calmly after being set up by Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, giving the Portuguese national team an early advantage they deserved so well.
Felix continued his impressive form after also scoring in his country opening Nations League win against Wales which took place earlier in the week.
Norway responded positively after going behind. The home side enjoyed good spells of possession and looked dangerous whenever Odegaard found space in midfield.
Haaland was closely watched by the Portuguese defence, with Ruben Dias and Renato Veiga working hard to limit the striker’s influence in the final third.
The visitors remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Neto and Francisco Conceiçao causing problems on the wings all through.
The visitors created several openings and looked threatening whenever they moved the ball quickly through midfield. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was also called into action to keep the Norwegians from finding an equaliser before the break.
The second half produced more drama as the home team pushed forward in search of a way back into the match which wasn’t easy.
The hosts eventually found the breakthrough in the 51st minute and levelled the score at 1-1, through Manchester City’s Erling Haaland showing he can’t be stopped by any team.
The Norwegians attacking pressure increased as they searched for a winning goal, but the Portuguese stayed organised and continued to threaten on the break.
Portugal regained the lead later in the match through Goncalo Ramos, who scored in the 54th minute with an exceptional finishing.
The AC Milan striker stepped up at a crucial moment to put the visitors back in front and silence the Norwegian supporters.
The goal gave the visitors a 2-1 advantage and moved them into a strong position heading into the closing stages which was heated between both teams.
Norway threw players forward in the final minutes and tried to rescue a point. Haaland remained the main attacking threat, while substitutes added fresh energy to the home side’s attack.
However, Portugal defended well under pressure and managed the closing moments professionally to protect their lead until they scored yet again.
Goncalo Ramos thought he had gotten a brace with his goal in the 58th minute, but it was ruled out by VAR after a brief checking was done.
The match progressed until it came to an end with a 2-1 victory for the visiting side. The result gives Portugal an important away victory and maintains their perfect start to the Nations League campaign.
After opening with a 1-0 win over Wales, the Portuguese now have six points from their first two matches and sit at the top of Group A4.
Norway, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the group after beginning with a 3-2 victory over Denmark which keeps them on three points.
Joao Felix was once again among the standout performers, while Pedro Neto’s assist and Ramos decisive goal proved crucial in the encounter.
Norway showed plenty of determination but were unable to turn their chances into enough goals to avoid defeat against Portugal which ended 2-1.
