A depleted side showed character and collective strength in Porto as the post-Ronaldo era takes shape
By Andalo Christine Ingutia
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Porto yesterday to maintain their perfect record in Nations League Group A4, winning without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since the superstar’s abrupt departure from the national camp earlier in the week.
The victory meant more than three points for coach Jorge Jesus and his players. It was a statement — measured, hard-earned and timely — from a squad determined to move forward amid the noise surrounding Ronaldo’s reported fallout with the coach and his sudden exit from the squad.
Norway arrived at the Estádio do Dragão with a clear plan and executed it well in the opening stages. Martin Ødegaard pulled the strings in midfield with his customary precision while Erling Haaland posed a constant physical threat in attack. Portugal, still finding their footing without their talisman, struggled to impose themselves and looked unsettled as the first half wore on.
The breakthrough went to the visitors. In the 36th minute, Ødegaard delivered a dangerous ball into the Portuguese penalty area and, when the home defence failed to deal with it cleanly, Kristoffer Ajer punished them with a composed finish. For a team already carrying the weight of Ronaldo’s departure, going behind was the last thing Portugal needed.
They responded with admirable composure. Within two minutes, João Cancelo provided the equaliser his side desperately needed, lifting the mood inside the stadium and shifting the contest’s momentum. From that point, Portugal grew into the match. They began to move the ball with more confidence and authority, pressing Norway deeper into their own half as the hosts searched for a winner before the interval.
The second half brought greater urgency from Portugal. Jesus’s side returned from the break with clear intent, gradually asserting themselves in possession and subjecting Norway to sustained pressure. The task became easier for the hosts in the 66th minute when Haaland, clearly hampered, was substituted — a significant blow to Norway’s ability to hold the line and threaten on the counter.
Portugal made the breakthrough count thirteen minutes later. Vitinha won the ball in midfield and moved it quickly to Félix, who read the moment perfectly and slipped a clever pass through to Gonçalo Ramos. The striker finished with the confidence of a player who understood what the goal meant. With Ronaldo no longer leading the attack, Portugal’s younger forwards have faced sharper scrutiny and greater expectation. On Sunday night, Ramos answered emphatically.
The closing stages were nervy. Francisco Conceição received a second yellow card in the 86th minute and was dismissed, leaving Portugal to defend their lead with ten men. Norway sensed an opportunity and pushed forward, pumping balls into the penalty area in search of a leveller. Rúben Dias marshalled the rearguard with authority, and the Portuguese defence held firm until the final whistle.
The 2-1 win keeps Portugal top of Group A4 with a perfect record. More significantly, it demonstrated that the squad possesses the character and collective resilience to perform under pressure — and to absorb the distraction of a story as large as Ronaldo’s departure without letting it seep into their football. For a team in transition, that may prove to be the most important lesson of all.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- The generation that wants freedom but fears family
- Kenya political weather — The winds are changing
- Building Africa’s Future: The remarkable rise of Professor Clemence Jaricha
- Mahrez agrees Qatar move to join Al-Shamal as free agent
- World Teachers’ Day 2026: Standing with teachers for 60 years
About the Author
