Portugal return to the Estádio do Dragão with their group campaign moving well on the pitch but with Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence dominating the discussion around the squad. Jorge Jesus’s side begin the evening with three wins from three in Group A, yet the match against Norway arrives after an uncomfortable week for the national team.
Portugal’s lead tested by Norway again
Norway are the visitors in Porto only days after Portugal won the first meeting in Oslo. The Scandinavian side, led by Erling Haaland and Antonio Nusa, have three points so far, earned with an opening victory over Denmark.
- Portugal have taken nine points from their first three Group A matches.
- Norway sit on three points after their win against Denmark.
- Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição are among the Portuguese players given the task of extending that strong start.
- Haaland leads Norway’s attack, with Nusa also selected from the outset.
The home team kicked off at 20:48 in Porto, looking to separate their campaign from the noise that has followed Ronaldo’s departure.
Ronaldo issue places focus on Jorge Jesus
Ronaldo was left out for the Norway fixture and then departed the Portugal camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday after being told that he would also not feature against Denmark. The decision prompted a major reaction, with much of the support around the side backing the forward.
Jesus sought to keep the focus on the team’s work rather than the controversy. “Cristiano is a symbol; there will be time to discuss him,” the Portugal coach said before the match.
That leaves Jesus to manage both a commanding position in the group and an internal situation that has become impossible to ignore. At the Dragão, the immediate responsibility is to make Portugal’s football answer the questions surrounding the camp.
Teams and match officials
Portugal named a 4-2-3-1 system, with Ramos at centre-forward and Bruno Fernandes operating behind him. Norway began in a 4-3-3 formation, with Martin Ødegaard in midfield behind a front line of Schjelderup, Haaland and Nusa.
Portugal
- Diogo Costa
- João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes
- João Palhinha, Vitinha
- Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix
- Gonçalo Ramos
- Coach: Jorge Jesus
Norway
- Selvik
- Aursnes, Ajer, Østigård, Møller Wolfe
- Ødegaard, Berge, Berg
- Schjelderup, Haaland, Nusa
- Coach: Ståle Solbakken
Italian referee Maurizio Mariani was appointed for the game. Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni served as his assistants, Luca Zufferli was fourth official, while Marco Di Bello took charge of VAR with Luca Pairetto as assistant VAR.
