Portugal vs Norway in short: Portugal beat Norway 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto on Sunday night to become the first team to book a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. Kristoffer Ajer gave Norway the lead, Joao Cancelo levelled within minutes, and Goncalo Ramos scored the winner ten minutes from time before Francisco Conceicao was sent off late on.
It was a fourth straight win for Portugal in League A Group 4, and it came without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not involved after reportedly leaving the squad earlier in the camp. For Norway and Erling Haaland, it was a third straight defeat that leaves them bottom of the group.
Portugal vs Norway: Key Facts
- Result: Portugal 2-1 Norway
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A Group 4, Matchday 4
- Date: Sunday 4 October 2026
- Venue: Estadio do Dragao, Porto
- Scorers: Ajer (Norway, first half); Cancelo (Portugal, first half), Ramos (Portugal, 80 minutes)
- Red card: Francisco Conceicao (Portugal, late in the second half)
- Portugal record: four wins from four, 12 points
How the Portugal vs Norway Game Unfolded
Ajer stuns Porto, Cancelo hits back
Portugal had most of the ball from the start, but it was Norway who struck first. Late in the first half, centre-back Kristoffer Ajer let fly from distance and found the net with a fierce strike that left the home crowd silent.
The lead did not last long. Just a couple of minutes later, Joao Cancelo produced a superb finish of his own from outside the box after a loose ball dropped kindly following a long throw from Nuno Mendes. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, and it sent the teams in level at the break.
Ramos makes the difference
The second half followed the same pattern, with Portugal pressing and Norway defending deep and in numbers. Haaland had a quiet night, struggling to get involved, and he was taken off midway through the second half.
The breakthrough came in the 80th minute. Vitinha lifted a clever pass over the Norway defence for Joao Felix, who cut the ball back across goal for Goncalo Ramos to finish at the far post. Ramos started up front in place of Ronaldo and once again showed why he is trusted with that role.
Conceicao sees red
There was late drama when Francisco Conceicao was sent off after two yellow cards in very quick succession, the second for reacting to a decision after a penalty appeal was turned down. Portugal saw out the final minutes with ten men without much trouble.
Ronaldo Absence: What We Know
The big talking point around this camp has been Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old captain, Portugal’s all-time top scorer, was reported to have left the squad before last Thursday’s win in Denmark. He played no part in either of the last two games. Portugal have not missed a beat without him, winning 4-2 in Copenhagen and then beating Norway, and Ramos has stepped up in his place. Whether Ronaldo returns for the next window in November remains unclear.
Nations League Group A4 Table and What It Means
Portugal now have 12 points from four games and are guaranteed a top-two finish with two games to spare, sealing a spot in the quarter-finals in March 2027.
Elsewhere in the group on Sunday, Denmark beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff thanks to a Rasmus Hojlund penalty, their second win over Wales in a week. That lifts Denmark to 6 points in second place. Wales and Norway both have 3 points, with Wales third on head-to-head after beating Norway 2-1 on Thursday.
- Portugal: 12 points
- Denmark: 6 points
- Wales: 3 points
- Norway: 3 points
The race for second place, and the fight to avoid relegation to League B, will be decided in November, when Wales travel to Norway in a game that now looks huge for both. You can catch our preview of this match in Portugal vs Norway prediction: team news, form and betting tips, and our Wales vs Denmark prediction for the other game in the group.
Talking Points
Portugal’s depth is frightening. To win four straight games in League A, two of them without their captain, says a lot about the quality available. Cancelo, Vitinha, Felix and Ramos all made the difference on Sunday.
Norway’s slump. After beating Denmark 3-2 on the opening night, Norway have now lost three in a row. Having Haaland and Martin Odegaard in the same team has not been enough, and they need a result in November to avoid dropping into League B.
Discipline. Conceicao’s red card was avoidable and will cost him a game. With qualification already secured, Portugal can absorb it, but it was an unnecessary end to a good night.
For more on this week’s international games, check our predictions page, and see official tables on the UEFA Nations League website.
FAQs
What was the score in Portugal vs Norway?
Portugal won 2-1 in Porto on 4 October 2026. Kristoffer Ajer scored for Norway, while Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Ramos scored for Portugal.
Did Ronaldo play against Norway?
No. Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature, after reportedly leaving the Portugal squad earlier in this international window.
Have Portugal qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals?
Yes. Four wins from four games guarantee Portugal a top-two finish in Group A4, which secures a quarter-final place in March 2027.
Who was sent off in Portugal vs Norway?
Francisco Conceicao was sent off late in the game after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession.
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