Portugal came into this UEFA Nations League contest with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, and Bruno Fernandes absent through injury. Jorge Jesus, 72 years old, and in just his second game in charge of the side, selected a team that was positive in their defending, and lethal when transitioning to attack.

Portugal not flashy, but effective

Joao Felix converted from just that scenario, a lovely separation from the Norway defense he made on the transition, finished with a cushioned pass into the net. Erling Haaland equalized in the second half, & Goncalo Ramos punished Nyland’s unintentional forward pass into him, before the AC Milan striker chipped the Norwegian goalkeeper to push the visitors ahead again 1-2. Ramos scored again after a long ball from Diogo Costa reached Nyland, who let the forward pressure him close, and poach the ball from him and to put it away for 1-3, however Ramos was confirmed to be offside when the VAR reviewed the replay, and the goal was struck off.

Jorge Jesus picked a team that would be able to press Norway into making mistakes in their build-up and transition rapidly into wide empty space after turnover’s in the middle third when the press was triggered, a formation resembling a 4-1-2-1-2 rather than a side looking to control possession for long sequences, as Norway’s playing style is very much geared to that philosophy, with their total being 62% compared with Portugal’s 38% tonight.

Norway threaten plenty, and Portugal hold on

The difference between the two sides was the definitive contrast of the two styles in the end, Norway always had an overload in the build-up from the back, attempting to unlock Portugal’s dense vertical shape and find the diagonal passing lanes forward that would release Erling Haaland into space in behind. Although the hosts threatened the Nations League champion’s goal 15 times in the first half, only three were on target, compared to Portugal’s conversion of 1 from 8.

Thanks to some stunning Ruben Dias blocks from point-blank in the box, and vitally needed communication and organisation from the Manchester City captain, who marshalled the defensive unit throughout most of the second half, the team was able to hold their margin by 1 goal for the second game in a row to the final whistle.

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