Portugal 2-1 Norway: Ramos and Cancelo net to complete comeback victory

Goncalo Ramos grabbed Portugal's winner as Jorge Jesus' team survived Francisco Conceicao's late dismissal to see off Norway 2-1 in the Nations League.

Match Report 

Ramos has taken his chance to shine for Portugal in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from their squad.

And the forward took his tally for this international break to three goals as Portugal maintained their 100% start to their Nations League Group A4 campaign.

They had to do it the hard way at Estadio Do Dragao, where 36th-minute Kristoffer Ajer's stunner put Norway ahead.

Ajer sublimely curled an exquisite finish into the top-right corner, but the defender's effort was matched in quality by Joao Cancelo just two minutes later.

Cancelo met Nuno Mendes' throw-in and, from the edge of the box, arrowed a first-time strike beyond Egil Selvik.

The full-back went close to a second early in the second half, before Erling Haaland dragged wide from his first, and only, opportunity.

Haaland was taken off shortly after in a surprise move, and Portugal almost took the lead when Ruben Neves sliced over from point-blank range.

Yet Portugal finally got their second goal in the 79th minute, with Joao Felix teeing up Ramos to finish deftly.

There was time for drama when a member of Norway's bench seemed to see red before Conceicao then received two bookings in swift succession for dissent, but Portugal held onto the points, despite their numerical disadvantage.

Ramos the main man as Portugal prove there is life after Ronaldo

Ronaldo's departure has overshadowed what has been a superb first four games in charge for Jesus, who has already guided defending champions Portugal into the Nations League knockout stages.

They have beaten Norway twice, and Jesus will be particularly pleased with how tightly under wraps his defence kept Haaland, who did have three shots but only had the one real chance, which he scuffed.

Ramos got the crucial goal, and both of the shots he had were on target, and if Ronaldo really is to retire, then Portugal do have their natural front man lined up.

It was a mixed day for Conceicao, who was Portugal's most creative player (four chances created), yet then showed a real lack of composure and professionalism to get himself sent off.

Ultimately, though, it is a case of job done for Portugal, who can rest easy heading into the November fixtures, knowing their place in the next round is secure.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

4' Nuno Mendes lies on the ground after being tackled and the physio gives him medical treatment

7' Conceicao strikes the ball towards goal, but his effort fails to threaten the keeper

10' Vitinha tries his luck from the edge of the box, but his effort is kept out by the keeper

21' Joao Felix fires the ball at goal from inside the area, but it's well blocked

21' Vitinha attempts to surprise the keeper with a shot from distance, but it goes high

22' Cancelo bends in a shot from the edge of the box, but Selvik denies his effort

26' Nusa unleashes a shot towards the roof of the net, but Diogo Costa thwarts him with a nice save

28' Diogo Costa pulls off a great save to deny Patrick Berg

31' Bruno unleashes a thunderbolt of a shot, but Selvik reacts well to stop it

32' Goncalo Ramos runs onto the ball and smashes it towards the goal, Selvik tips it around the post

36' GOAL! Ajer collects the ball after the free kick and scores a bullet shot! Portugal 0-1 Norway

38' GOAL! Cancelo volleys the ball in from just outside the box! Portugal 1-1 Norway

53' Match Event for Portugal vs Norway

54' Match Event for Portugal vs Norway

61' Match Event for Portugal vs Norway

67' Match Event for Portugal vs Norway

73' Highlight from Portugal vs Norway

79' GOAL! Portugal 2-1 Norway (Gonçalo Ramos)

86' Red Card! Conceicao Sent Off

Line-ups

Portugal XI: Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Palhinha, Ruben Dias, Diogo Costa, Felix, Vitinha, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga

Subs: Rui Silva, Neves, Bernardo Silva, Dalot, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Neto, Leao, Nuno Tavares, Fábio Silva, Samuel Soares, Tomás Araújo, João Neves

Norway XI: Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Ødegaard, Kristoffer Ajer, Berge, Egil Selvik, Haaland, Leo Østigård, David Møller Wolfe, Andreas Schjelderup, Antonio Nusa

Subs: Nyland, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Erik Botheim, Odin Bjørtuft, Kristian Thorstvedt, Marcus Pedersen, Sander Tangvik, Thelo Aasgaard, Ole Didrik Blomberg, Bobb, Sondre Langås, Fredrik Sjövold