Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion was set for a familiar international contest of generations, with Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo expected to lead Norway and Portugal into Sunday night’s meeting. Only one of them will begin on the pitch. Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has placed Ronaldo among the substitutes, while Haaland starts for the hosts.
Jesus explained that the decision was about managing the 41-year-old across a demanding sequence of fixtures. Ronaldo played nearly 70 minutes in Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Wales at Alvalade on Thursday, and the coach did not believe it was right to use him from the outset again only a few days later.
“This is the third day after the last match,” Jesus said. “Cristiano was on the field for almost 70 minutes at Alvalade, and I felt he could not start two games in succession.” Portugal want their captain available throughout the coming run, he added: “We want Ronaldo involved across these four matches, even if the minutes vary. The important thing is to have him on the field.”
Portugal turn to Ramos in Oslo
Gonçalo Ramos takes Ronaldo’s place at centre-forward, supported by João Félix and João Neves. Félix scored Portugal’s winner against Wales, while the reigning champions will next travel to Denmark on Thursday before welcoming Norway on 4 October.
It is a notable change for Portugal. Ronaldo had not been named among the substitutes for his country for two years, since the Nations League match against Scotland on 8 September 2024. Portugal won that game 2-1 after Roberto Martínez introduced Ronaldo at half-time, with the forward scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
Norway, meanwhile, have kept faith with Haaland from the opening whistle. The striker arrives in Oslo after scoring twice in Thursday’s 3-2 win over Denmark, and the home side will look to his finishing rather than the anticipated duel with Ronaldo to shape the evening.
