Quick answer:Norway vs Portugal beat Norway 2-1 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on 27 September 2026 in UEFA Nations League Group A4. João Félix scored in the 17th minute, Erling Haaland equalised early in the second half, and Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner after a goalkeeping error. Portugal are now the only Group A4 team on six points, with Denmark and Norway both on three.
The fixture was sold as Haaland against Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo started on the bench, and the game turned on a Norwegian mistake rather than a superstar duel.
Key Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Nations League 2026-27, League A, Group A4 |
| Matchday | 2 |
| Date | Sunday, 27 September 2026 |
| Kick-off | 18:45 UTC (19:45 UK, 2:45 pm ET, 8:45 pm in Oslo) |
| Venue | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo |
| Result | Norway 1-2 Portugal |
| Scorers | Félix 17′; Haaland (early second half); Ramos (three minutes later) |
How did the match unfold?
Portugal won by taking two of their few clear chances. Norway created far more.
Both teams started fast. João Neves headed over, then Diogo Costa kept out a first-time Haaland effort at his near post. The opening goal came in the 17th minute. Pedro Neto cut the ball back and Félix placed it into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.
Norway pressed hard until half-time. Costa denied two Haaland headers, one of them in first-half stoppage time.
The restart brought the equaliser. A Martin Ødegaard free-kick was parried, Patrick Berg headed it across, and Haaland tapped in. Three minutes later, Norway’s goalkeeper made the decisive mistake. Ørjan Nyland gave the ball away and Ramos lofted it over him. The same source notes that Norway dominated possession late on, but Portugal defended with discipline and held on.
The result also ended a good run for the hosts. It stopped Ståle Solbakken’s side’s 14-game unbeaten run at home.
sourecs: aljazeera.com
What were the confirmed lineups?
Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Aursnes, Ajer, Heggem, Ryerson; Ødegaard, Berge, Berg; Schjelderup, Haaland, Nusa.
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Palhinha, João Neves; Conceição, Félix, Neto; Ramos.
Norway’s bench included Leo Østigård, Oscar Bobb and Jørgen Strand Larsen. Two absences shaped the selections:
- Norway: David Møller Wolfe was suspended after two yellow cards in the opening game.
- Portugal: Bruno Fernandes was left out because Jorge Jesus did not want to risk an injury the midfielder had been playing through.
Why was Cristiano Ronaldo benched?
Jorge Jesus chose Ramos as the central striker, giving Portugal a more mobile front line. Ronaldo, 41, had started the opening win over Wales and was substituted off during that game. Jesus had suggested before the match that Ronaldo’s starting depended on his physical condition. Ronaldo remained in the squad, and he and Haaland still have not shared a pitch in a competitive meeting.
Key player battles: what actually decided it
Haaland against Portugal’s defensive unit. This was closer to a duel with Costa than with Rúben Dias. Haaland had chances from every angle, and Costa kept saving them. One report credits Dias with a block after Costa spilled a shot. Haaland’s goal came from a tap-in at the end of a set-piece move, not from open play.
Ødegaard and Norway’s midfield against João Neves and Palhinha. Ødegaard was involved in Norway’s best moments, including the free-kick that led to the equaliser. Palhinha and Neves gave Portugal a sturdy double pivot and largely kept Norway from breaking them down centrally.
Félix and Neto against Norway’s back four. This is where the game was won. Félix has been Portugal’s most effective forward this autumn. He has scored six goals in his last 11 starts for Portugal, under his former Al-Nassr manager Jesus.
The build-up from goalkeeper Nyland. Playing out from the back is normally a strength of Solbakken’s team. Here it cost them the match. The result was decided by one misjudged pass, not by any collapse in their overall approach.
Norway vs Portugal head-to-head record
Portugal has dominated this fixture. Before this game the sides had met 11 times, with Portugal winning eight, Norway once and two draws. Norway’s only victory was a 1-0 win in September 2010 in Euro 2012 qualifying, and the previous meeting was a 3-0 Portuguese win in May 2016. Adding Sunday’s result, Portugal now has nine wins in 12. Different outlets count the total slightly differently, so check UEFA’s match dossier if you are citing an exact figure.
What does the result mean for Group A4?
Portugal lead with six points. The format makes that cushion valuable: both the winner and the runner-up of each League A group reach the March 2027 quarter-finals. That means Norway are not out of contention, but a three-point gap to a rival with a strong squad is a real disadvantage. Portugal’s next opponent is reportedly Denmark, whom Norway beat 3-2 on Matchday 1. Confirm the schedule on UEFA.com, as fixture dates can shift.
Three tactical takeaways
- Norway’s chance creation is strong, but its finishing was not efficient. The home side controlled possession and shot volume yet conceded two goals from limited Portuguese attacks.
- Jesus’s Portugal look leaner than under the previous coach. Two wins from two, with Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes both absent from the XI in Oslo, suggest the squad has depth. That is a positive sign for the reigning champions, though two games is a small sample.
- Norway is a top-tier team, despite the defeat. They reached the World Cup quarter-finals this summer, as did Portugal. Jesus described Norway as one of Europe’s best sides after the match.
Where to watch Norway vs Portugal (replays and highlights)
These broadcasters carried the match live, according to Al Jazeera’s guide:
- United Kingdom: Prime Video
- United States: FOX Sports, Fubo, ViX
- Norway: TV 2 Play
- Portugal: Sport TV
- Middle East and North Africa: beIN SPORTS
UEFA also publishes an official broadcaster list by country. Replays and condensed matches are usually available from the same platforms for a limited period. Check your provider’s listings for availability.
6. Custom FAQ Section
What was the final score in Norway vs Portugal?
Portugal won 2-1 at Ullevaal Stadion on 27 September 2026. João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos scored for Portugal, and Erling Haaland scored for Norway.
Who scored in Norway vs Portugal?
Félix scored in the 17th minute, Haaland equalised early in the second half, and Ramos scored the winner about three minutes later after a mistake by Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo play against Norway?
He was not in the starting lineup. Jorge Jesus started Gonçalo Ramos as the central striker, and Ronaldo was an unused or substitute option according to lineup reports. Check the official UEFA match report for his exact minutes.
Why did Bruno Fernandes miss the game?
Jesus said Fernandes had been playing through an injury and that he did not want to risk him in Oslo, so the midfielder could be fully fit for the next match.
When was Norway vs Portugal and where was it played?
It kicked off on Sunday, 27 September 2026, at 18:45 UTC (2:45 pm ET, 7:45 pm in the UK) at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
What is the Norway vs Portugal head-to-head record?
Before this game, UEFA records showed 11 meetings: eight Portugal wins, two draws and one Norway win. Portugal’s win in Oslo extends their lead in the series.
Where can I watch Norway vs Portugal?
In the UK, the match was on Prime Video. In the US, it was carried by FOX Sports, Fubo and ViX. Local rights vary, so check UEFA’s official broadcaster list.
What does the result mean for Group A4?
Portugal have six points from two games. Norway and Denmark both have three. The top two teams in each League A group advance to the March 2027 quarter-finals.
7. FAQ Schema (JSON-LD)
8. Important Entities Mentioned
- Teams and competition: Norway national football team, Portugal national football team, UEFA Nations League 2026-27, League A, Group A4, Denmark, Wales
- Venue and place: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
- Norway: Ståle Solbakken (head coach), Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Ørjan Nyland, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes, David Møller Wolfe, Oscar Bobb, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Leo Østigård
- Portugal: Jorge Jesus (head coach), Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, Pedro Neto, Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, João Cancelo, Renato Veiga, João Palhinha, João Neves, Francisco Conceição
- Organisations and broadcasters: UEFA, FIFA World Cup, Prime Video, FOX Sports, Fubo, ViX, TV 2 Play, Sport TV, beIN SPORTS, Manchester City, Manchester United
9. Suggested Featured Image Idea
A split-frame image shot at Ullevaal Stadion under floodlights. On the left, a Norway striker in red in a heading duel, with the stadium crowd behind him. On the right, a Portugal player in maroon celebrating a goal, arms outstretched. A bold diagonal line separates the two halves, with a “2-1” scoreline graphic in the centre and the UEFA Nations League A4 label at the bottom. Use licensed agency photography (for example Getty Images or NTB Scanpix) or an original illustration. Do not use unlicensed press photos.
Suggested alt text: Portugal celebrate at Ullevaal Stadion after beating Norway 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League Group A4.
Editorial notes for you:
- Haaland’s career goal tally is reported differently across outlets (figures from 57 to 65 appear in coverage), so I left it out. Add it only after checking UEFA’s official figure.
- The Ronaldo FAQ answer is deliberately cautious because sources agree he did not start but I could not confirm his minutes. Update it once you have the official match report.
- If you need a different length or a specific country focus (UK vs US), tell me and I’ll adjust the viewing section and the time formats.
Also Read
