Ronaldo Unused as Portugal Beat Norway in First Competitive Absence in 18 Years

Cristiano Ronaldo remained an unused substitute as Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo on Sunday, a decision that gave the 41-year-old captain an unusual place in his international career. It was the first competitive Portugal match in 18 years that Ronaldo had watched in full without being brought on.

Key takeaways

• Portugal won 2-1 against Norway at Ullevaal Stadium to strengthen their Nations League position.
• Ronaldo did not play at all, ending an 18-year run without a full competitive international match spent on the bench.
• His previous such occasion was Portugal’s 2-0 Euro 2008 group-stage defeat to Switzerland.
• The captain went directly to the dressing room after the final whistle rather than joining the squad’s salute to 500 travelling supporters.
• Head coach Jorge Jesus said he would discuss the captaincy responsibilities with Ronaldo privately.
• Jesus maintained that Ronaldo remains in his plans and could start against Denmark.

Jesus explains Ronaldo decision

Portugal coach Jorge Jesus left Ronaldo among the substitutes throughout the contest in the Norwegian capital, despite telling the Al-Nassr forward before the game that he could be used. Jesus said the course of the match did not call for the particular type of centre-forward Ronaldo represents.

The manager pointed to Portugal’s defensive shape and their execution of the game plan as reasons for resisting a late attacking change. He rejected any suggestion that the omission meant Ronaldo had lost his importance to the national side.

Asked about Ronaldo leaving the pitch area immediately after the match, Jesus said only the player could explain that choice. The coach added that being left out in Oslo did not mean he was no longer relying on his captain, and said he had decided that a substitution for a striker with Ronaldo’s attributes was not required.

Denmark next as Portugal target Group A lead

Ronaldo’s departure came while his Portugal team-mates remained on the field to acknowledge the approximately 500 away fans who had travelled to Ullevaal Stadium. Jesus said he had not noticed the captain had gone down the tunnel at the time, but confirmed that he planned to speak to him about his role as skipper.

Portugal will recover in Oslo before returning home for their next UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. Having already beaten Wales and Norway, Jesus’s side are seeking to reinforce their hold on first place in Group A.

Ronaldo will be aiming to return to the starting line-up for the home fixture, with Jesus making clear that he remains a leading option for selection.