Portugal secured their place in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League quarterfinals on Sunday, defeating Norway 2-1 in Porto. Despite the absence of all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed the squad last Wednesday after being informed he would not start against Denmark, the defending champions maintained their perfect group stage record.
Norway opened the scoring against the run of play in the 36th minute when Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer connected with a bouncing ball at the edge of the penalty area, curling it into the top corner. Portugal responded immediately just two minutes later, as Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo leveled the match by rifling a powerful 20-yard strike into the net.
The hosts moved ahead in the second half through AC Milan striker Goncalo Ramos, who started in Ronaldo’s place and finished from close range following an assist from Joao Felix. Throughout the contest, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland struggled to make an impact for the visitors, firing one notable effort across the goal face before being substituted for Jorgen Strand Larsen shortly after the hour mark.
Late drama unfolded for Jorge Jesus’s side when Francisco Conceicao was sent off. The player received two yellow cards in rapid succession for dissent following a failed penalty appeal. Despite finishing the match with only ten men, Portugal successfully defended their lead to secure a fourth consecutive victory in Group A4. Portugal played out the final minutes with 10 men after Francisco Conceicao was dismissed for two yellow cards in the space of a few seconds for dissent following his unsuccesful appeal for a penalty.
This win guarantees that Portugal will finish in the top two positions of their group, confirming their progression to the competition’s last eight, scheduled for March 2027.
