Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has provided clarity regarding captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to bypass the customary post-match tradition of thanking traveling supporters following the side’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory against Norway in Oslo on Sunday, September 27. Explaining the superstar’s absence, Jesus told OJogo, “It’s not the same as a club,” emphasizing the different atmosphere surrounding international football compared to domestic duty.
Match Dynamics and Tactical Summary
The encounter saw Joao Felix, who had scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over Wales in the campaign opener in Lisbon last week, open the scoring in the 17th minute. Erling Haaland later restored parity for the hosts early in the second period, but Goncalo Ramos reclaimed the lead three minutes later. This result ensures that Jesus’ side maintains a perfect start to their title defense, a match where Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench for the duration of the contest.
Upcoming Schedule and Player Background
- Portugal is scheduled to face Denmark away on Thursday, October 1.
- The team will then host Norway three days later to conclude the extended international break.
- Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 146 goals, netted three times in five games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where the squad was eliminated 1-0 by Spain in the Round of 16.
Regarding future selection, Jorge Jesus has not ruled out the possibility of starting Ronaldo in the upcoming fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen. This follows a challenging start to the current campaign for the veteran, who drew a blank in the opening victory over Wales; he missed a major chance and saw a second-half goal ruled out for offside by VAR before being substituted for Goncalo Ramos, who subsequently led the line in the victory over Norway.
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