Gonçalo Ramos took his opportunity after replacing Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting lineup, scoring the decisive goal in a 2 to 1 victory over Norway as the defending UEFA Nations League champions made it two wins from two in Group A4.
By Open Chronicle Sports with agencies | September 27, 2026
OSLO, Norway — Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal as Portugal continued their successful start to the defence of the UEFA Nations League title with a 2 to 1 victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday.
Ramos was selected to lead the Portuguese attack instead of Cristiano Ronaldo and rewarded Jorge Jesus with the decisive goal shortly after Norway had drawn level through Erling Haaland.
João Félix had given Portugal the lead in the 17th minute before Haaland equalised six minutes into the second half.
But Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland immediately presented Portugal with an opportunity to regain control, passing the ball directly to Ramos, who calmly lifted his finish into the net.
The result gives Portugal consecutive victories at the beginning of their Group A4 campaign following Thursday’s 1 to 0 win against Wales.
It also continues Portugal’s positive response to their World Cup elimination against Spain in the last 16.
Ronaldo starts on the bench
One of the major talking points before kickoff was the absence of Ronaldo from the starting lineup.
The 41 year old captain was named among Portugal’s substitutes and remained on the bench throughout the match as Jesus continued to manage his playing time during the expanded international break.
It was the first time Ronaldo had started a Portugal match among the substitutes since a Nations League fixture against Scotland in September 2024.
His absence gave Ramos an important opportunity at the centre of Portugal’s attack.
By the final whistle, the decision had been vindicated.
Haaland threatens Portugal early
Norway entered the match following a 3 to 2 opening victory against Denmark and created the first significant opportunity.
Martin Odegaard picked out Haaland, but the Manchester City striker failed to connect cleanly with his attempted volley.
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa was able to make the save.
It proved costly for Norway.
Portugal responded quickly and took the lead through Félix.
João Félix gives Portugal the lead
In the 17th minute, Félix found space near the edge of the penalty area and produced a composed finish into the bottom corner.
It was a clinical moment from Portugal after Norway had threatened at the opposite end.
The hosts responded by increasing the pressure on Costa’s goal, with Haaland repeatedly at the centre of their attacking play.
The Norwegian striker soon appeared certain to equalise when Costa spilled the ball into his path.
Rúben Dias intervened.
The Portugal defender produced an outstanding block to deny his Manchester City teammate and preserve the visitors’ advantage.
Diogo Costa denies Haaland again
Norway continued searching for an equaliser as the first half progressed.
Ten minutes before the interval, Haaland directed a powerful downward header towards goal.
Costa responded with an excellent save.
The goalkeeper’s interventions allowed Portugal to reach half time with their narrow advantage intact, although Norway had created enough opportunities to suggest the match was far from settled.
Haaland would eventually find his goal after the restart.
Haaland finally breaks through
Six minutes into the second half, Norway produced the equaliser their pressure had threatened.
Patrick Berg directed a header across the face of goal and Haaland arrived to tap the ball home.
After being denied several times during the first half, Norway’s leading striker finally had his reward.
The score was 1 to 1 and the momentum appeared to have shifted towards the hosts.
It lasted only moments.
Ramos punishes Nyland mistake
Norway immediately surrendered their advantage.
Goalkeeper Nyland attempted to distribute the ball but instead passed it directly to Ramos.
The Portugal striker reacted instantly.
With Nyland exposed, Ramos calmly chipped the ball into the net to restore Portugal’s lead almost immediately after Haaland’s equaliser.
It was exactly the kind of opportunity Ramos needed on a night when he had been given responsibility for leading Portugal’s attack.
Portugal were suddenly ahead again at 2 to 1.
Leão hits the crossbar
With Norway forced to chase the match again, Portugal found opportunities to attack the spaces left behind.
Rafael Leão came close to extending the lead when his effort took a deflection and struck the crossbar.
A third Portuguese goal would have significantly reduced the pressure on Jesus’s side.
Instead, Norway remained within one goal and continued searching for another equaliser.
Ramos then appeared to have scored his second goal of the evening.
VAR denies Ramos a second
Another mistake from Nyland created the opportunity.
The Norway goalkeeper waited for a long ball over the top to reach him but completely missed his attempt to clear it.
Ramos reached the ball first and rolled it into the empty net.
For a moment, Portugal appeared to have secured a 3 to 1 lead.
VAR intervened.
A review determined that Ramos had been marginally offside, and the goal was disallowed.
Nyland escaped further punishment for another costly error, while Portugal still had to defend their one goal advantage.
Norway throws everything forward
Norway committed increasing numbers of players to attack during the closing stages.
Eventually even Nyland moved forward as the hosts desperately searched for another equaliser.
Portugal held firm.
Dias and the Portuguese defence resisted the late pressure, while Costa completed an influential performance after making several important saves earlier in the match.
Norway could not find the goal they needed.
The final whistle confirmed Portugal’s 2 to 1 victory.
Two wins from two for the champions
Portugal have now opened their Nations League title defence with consecutive victories.
The 1 to 0 success against Wales was followed by a considerably more demanding test in Oslo, where Norway created opportunities and Haaland repeatedly threatened the Portuguese defence.
But Portugal proved more clinical at the decisive moments.
Félix converted his opportunity in the first half. Ramos punished Nyland’s mistake immediately after Norway had equalised. Costa delivered important saves when the hosts threatened.
For Norway, the defeat represented a missed opportunity after their opening victory against Denmark.
Haaland scored, but the hosts will rue their missed chances and particularly the defensive error that allowed Portugal to regain the lead moments after drawing level.
For Portugal, the evening belonged above all to Ramos.
Selected ahead of the country’s record goalscorer, he delivered the decisive moment and came within the narrowest of offsides of adding another.
Portugal left Oslo with six points from their opening two matches and their Nations League title defence firmly under way.