Without 'disruptor' Ronaldo, Portugal is thriving! Portugal secures early quarterfinal berth with 2-1 comeback win over Norway, who lost Haaland to injury

*This content was translated by AI.

Portugal continued its winning streak and secured an early qualification for the UEFA Nations League (UNL) quarterfinals, despite the voluntary withdrawal of its star striker Cristiano Ronaldo (41).

On the 5th (Korean time), Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 in a home match at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal, in the fourth round of Group A4 in League A of the 2026~2027 UNL. With four wins in four group stage matches (12 points), Portugal secured at least second place in the group regardless of the results of its remaining two matches, thereby earning a ticket to the quarterfinals.

Ronaldo's departure actually injected vitality into Portugal's attack. After being substituted early in the first match against Wales, Ronaldo sat on the bench in the previous second match against Norway. Subsequently, upon receiving notice that he would not start in the third match against Denmark, he expressed dissatisfaction with Manager Jorge Jeju's decision and voluntarily withdrew from the national team.

However, after Ronaldo's absence, Portugal continued its winning streak as the previously stagnant flow of its attack was unlocked in the match against Denmark (4-2 win) and this match against Norway.

Norway recorded the opening goal on this day. In the 36th minute of the first half, from a free kick situation, Christopher Ajer received the ball with his chest and shook the net with a right-footed volley shot.

However, Portugal equalized just two minutes later. Joao Cancelo finished Nuno Mendes' long throw-in with a one-touch right-footed shot near the penalty arc.

Goncalo Ramos scored the decisive goal to take the lead. Near the end of the second half, Joao Felix connected with Ramos, who was making a run, and Ramos pushed the ball into the net from in front of the goal to turn the game around. Ramos, who has been deployed at the forefront in place of Ronaldo, has scored in three consecutive recent matches, establishing himself as a perfect substitute.

Portugal also faced an adverse situation when Francisco Conceicao was sent off for accumulating yellow cards after raising his thumb in a mocking manner toward the referee while protesting a decision in the 41st minute of the second half. However, despite being numerically disadvantaged for the remaining time, they managed to hold onto their lead until the end.

Meanwhile, Norway's key striker Erling Haaland raised injury concerns after limping and signaling for a substitution to the bench in the 22nd minute of the second half before leaving the field.

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*This content was translated by AI.