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Portugal Player Ratings After 2-1 Win Over Norway in Nations League
Amir Azimi
Daily News

Portugal Player Ratings After 2-1 Win Over Norway in Nations League

Portugal’s Narrow 2-1 Win Against Norway in Oslo

Portugal claimed a vital 2-1 victory over Norway in their UEFA Nations League clash at Ullevaal Stadium, keeping a flawless record in the group. Although Erling Haaland scored for the hosts, decisive finishes from Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos ensured all three points went to the Selecao.

The match saw Portugal endure heavy pressure, with Norway holding 59% possession and firing off 20 shots. Yet, Portugal’s ability to convert chances efficiently outweighed Norway’s numerical dominance. Felix’s early goal set the tone, but after Haaland equalized early in the second half, Portugal responded quickly through Ramos.

Portugal’s resilience was clear, demonstrated by 32 clearances and 22 interceptions. Norway dominated expected goals (2.88 to 0.87), but Portugal’s sharp finishing proved the difference. This win puts Portugal top of Group 4 with six points from two matches, marking them as strong contenders in this Nations League season.

Goalkeeper and Defensive Performances

  • Diogo Costa - 8/10: The Porto keeper had a busy night, pulling off five crucial saves during Norway's first-half dominance. Though he couldn’t stop Haaland’s close-range goal, his positioning and handling were excellent throughout.
  • Nuno Mendes - 7/10: Athletic and alert on the left side, Mendes balanced defensive work against Norway’s Antonio Nusa. His pace helped plug gaps in transition and contributed to Portugal’s high clearance count.
  • Renato Veiga - 6/10: Tasked with marking Haaland, Veiga showed physicality but was occasionally beaten by Norway’s front trio movements.
  • Ruben Dias - 7/10: The captain led a defence that absorbed 20 shots, making numerous clearances. He earned a yellow card late in the game to stop a dangerous counterattack.
  • Joao Cancelo - 6/10: More cautious than usual, Cancelo focused on defensive discipline amid Norway’s wide rotations, showing concentration despite struggles on his flank.

Midfield Contributions

  • Joao Palhinha - 7/10: The midfield anchor disrupted Martin Oedegaard well, making many interceptions and receiving a booking for a tough challenge. He was subbed off late due to fatigue.
  • Joao Neves - 6/10: Limited by Portugal’s lower possession, Neves worked hard defensively but was bypassed during swift Norwegian attacks. He was replaced early in the second half.
  • Pedro Neto - 8/10: A key creative force, Neto assisted Felix’s opening goal and remained a constant threat with his pace until substituted late.

Attacking Impact

  • Francisco Conceicao - 6/10: Active in pressing but struggled to make an impact and was the first to be taken off.
  • Joao Felix - 8/10: Calm and effective, Felix opened the scoring with a clinical finish and linked midfield to attack well despite limited possession.
  • Goncalo Ramos - 7/10: Quiet early on but scored the decisive goal three minutes after Norway equalised, capitalizing on limited chances.

Substitutes and Managerial Decisions

  • Vitinha - 6/10: Came on to improve ball retention and helped steady the team after Norway’s equaliser.
  • Rafael Leao - 6/10: Brought on to test Norway’s tiring defence; his presence forced defenders to stay deeper.
  • Ruben Neves - 6/10: Added fresh legs late to help secure the result.
  • Bernardo Silva - 6/10: Entered late to manage the clock and received a yellow card for a professional foul in stoppage time.
  • Trincao - N/A: Came on late but had minimal involvement.
  • Jorge Jesus - 7/10: His tactics focused on efficiency, using a counter-attacking style that paid off. His substitutions at 55 minutes helped regain control after the equaliser.

Upcoming Fixtures

  • Denmark vs Portugal: 1 Oct 2026, 21:45 UEFA Nations League A
  • Wales vs Norway: 1 Oct 2026, 21:45 UEFA Nations League A

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