Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday at the Estádio Do Dragão, maintaining their unbeaten run in the UEFA Nations League and clinching a place in the quarter-finals scheduled for March. The result extended Portugal’s lead at the top of Group A4 to six points over Denmark, who themselves recorded a 1-0 win against Wales, ensuring the top-two finish needed to advance.
Portugal’s win came amid ongoing tensions following Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent departure from the national squad. Ronaldo left the team abruptly last week after a confrontation with coach Jorge Jesus, a development that has overshadowed Portugal’s campaign. Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal rallied with goals from João Cancelo and Gonçalo Ramos. Norway opened the scoring in the 36th minute through defender Kristoffer Ajer, who struck a half-volley from outside the penalty area. However, Cancelo swiftly equalized two minutes later with a powerful shot. The decisive goal came from Ramos in the 79th minute, deflecting a header from João Félix.
The match concluded on a controversial note as Portugal’s Francisco Conceição was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the closing stages for sarcastically gesturing at the referee. Coach Jorge Jesus indicated that Ronaldo’s future with the team remains open, stating the player could return to the squad if he chooses and discussions would take place before the next call-up.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands moved to the top of Group A2 by defeating Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven. Marking his 100th international appearance, captain Virgil van Dijk played a key role as Teun Koopmeiners gave the hosts an early lead with a free-kick in the 31st minute. Serbia responded quickly with a leveling goal by teenager Mihajlo Cvetkovic. The Netherlands regained the advantage in the 72nd minute when Joshua Zirkzee, a late addition to the squad, scored following a cross from Denzel Dumfries.
In Thessaloniki, Greece held Germany to a goalless draw despite pressure from the German side, which is under new manager Jürgen Klopp. Germany remains winless in three of their four group matches so far.
Elsewhere in Group B3, Austria salvaged a 1-1 draw against Kosovo with a late equalizer, maintaining their three-point lead in the group. The Republic of Ireland and Israel also drew 1-1 in a match played behind closed doors in the Serbian town of Backa Topola.
In Group D2, Azerbaijan moved to the top of their group by defeating previously unbeaten Lithuania 1-0, courtesy of a first-half goal by Abdulah Khaybulayev. Meanwhile, Malta secured a 1-0 home victory against Andorra in Group D1, with veteran Teddy Teuma entering as a substitute in the second half to help preserve the win.