In Norway, Portugal’s Nations League win carried an unexpected side story: Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout a 2-1 away victory, with Jorge Jesus insisting the decision was tactical rather than a sign of injury or a rift with his captain.
The match was Portugal’s first since Ronaldo’s 67-minute appearance against Wales under Jesus, the 72-year-old coach who had previously worked with him at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo had a goal ruled out by VAR in that game, which followed Portugal’s World Cup 2026 last-16 elimination by Spain — his previous international outing before Jesus took charge.
A decision made for the match
Jesus said he had initially considered giving Ronaldo the final half-hour against Norway, but the changing demands of the contest persuaded him to keep Gonçalo Ramos on the pitch.
- Portugal took control in the first half and João Félix scored after 16 minutes, finishing a move developed down the left side.
- Norway drew level six minutes after the restart, when Erling Haaland converted from a set-piece situation.
- Portugal responded quickly as Ramos capitalised on a serious mistake by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to restore the visitors’ lead.
- With Ramos performing well, scoring once and having another effort disallowed, Jesus chose not to disrupt the forward line.
- As the game entered its closing stages, the coach felt a different type of substitution was needed to preserve balance and protect the result.
“I needed a player with different qualities,” Jesus explained ahead of Portugal’s next Nations League meeting with Denmark. “The plan had been for him to play the last 30 minutes, but the match did not call for it. Gonçalo Ramos was playing well, had scored and had another goal disallowed. I did not believe it was the right time to take him off.”
Jesus stressed that Ronaldo had not been omitted because of a physical problem or any personal disagreement. “It was my choice,” he said. “That does not mean he is no longer an option — quite the opposite. He may play against Denmark.”
Ronaldo’s reaction and Portugal’s position
The lack of minutes reportedly frustrated Ronaldo, who did not stay to acknowledge either his teammates or the supporters present after the final whistle. Jesus recognised the sensitivity around the captain’s exclusion, but maintained that the call was rooted in the needs of a tight away fixture.
Portugal’s second successive Nations League victory put them top of Group D after two rounds, with six points. Norway remained on three points despite Haaland’s equaliser, while Portugal left the Scandinavian trip with the result they wanted — even without using their most famous forward.
