In Norway, Portugal found a way to win without turning to their most familiar escape route. Cristiano Ronaldo watched the entire 2-1 Nations League victory from the bench, an exceptionally rare occurrence in a competitive match for the Seleção’s record appearance-maker and scorer.
Ronaldo unused in Portugal win
Jorge Jesus named Ronaldo among his substitutes on Sunday night but did not send him on during Portugal’s 2-1 success away to Norway.
The 234-cap international, who has scored 146 goals for Portugal, had not previously remained unused in a non-friendly for more than 18 years.
A rare competitive omission
- The last time Ronaldo was an unused substitute in a competitive Portugal fixture came on 15 June 2008, when Portugal lost 2-0 to Switzerland during the European Championship group stage.
- Before that, the only other such case was Portugal’s 2-1 World Cup group-stage win over Mexico on 21 June 2006.
- Ronaldo also stayed on the bench against Croatia on 8 June 2024, but Portugal’s 2-1 defeat in that match was a friendly.
- The Croatia fixture remains the only friendly of Ronaldo’s international career in which he did not play.
Portugal’s result in Norway therefore stands apart: a competitive win secured while Ronaldo was available in the squad, yet never called upon.
