Portugal Beat Norway to Maintain Jorge Jesus’s Perfect Nations League Start
Portugal extended Jorge Jesus’s perfect start as head coach with a 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway in Oslo, moving three points clear at the summit of Group A4 after two matches.
Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos scored for the reigning Nations League champions at the Ullevaal Stadium, while Erling Haaland found the net after the interval for Norway. Portugal had already beaten Wales in their opening group fixture and now have six points from six under their new 72-year-old manager.
Jesus was particularly pleased with the way his side handled a demanding away match against a Norway team he rates among the continent’s strongest. Haaland remained a constant threat, registering six efforts from inside Portugal’s penalty area, but only one resulted in a goal.
Renato Veiga and Ruben Dias were tasked with dealing directly with the Manchester City striker’s physical presence, with Joao Palhinha and Ruben Neves providing additional protection in front of the defence. Jesus said that control of the central areas was essential, given Haaland’s capacity to turn even limited opportunities into goals.
Portugal’s changes late in the contest were intended to preserve attacking momentum rather than simply protect their lead. Bernardo Silva was among the fresh players introduced, and Jesus highlighted the midfielder’s ability to keep possession through the middle as Norway pushed for a second goal.
The Portugal coach stressed that the Nations League does not allow teams to treat matches as experimental occasions, insisting his substitutions were designed to create a 3-1 result rather than establish a deep defensive block.
Portugal will remain in Oslo to recover before travelling to Copenhagen for Thursday’s meeting with Denmark at Parken Stadium. A third successive win would put Jesus’s side in an even stronger position in Group A4, while Norway will attempt to respond away to Wales on the same night.
