Portugal’s flawless start hinges on Félix’s revival and Ramos’s strike

Portugal kept a 100 percent record in the Liga das Nações after beating Noruega 2‑1 in Oslo on Sunday the 27th, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring the decisive goal to lift the side to six points.

Portugal’s perfect start in the Nations League

The win moved the Lusitanians to the top of Grupo A4, confirming their place as group leaders after just two matches. Jorge Jesus, in only his second appearance as head coach, praised the team’s ability to exploit Noruega’s mistakes and to respond when the pressure rose. Nevertheless, the Portuguese side still allowed several dangerous situations and showed defensive frailties that will need correcting.

Jesus described the opening phase of his tenure as “positive”, noting that two victories give him room to develop his ideas with less urgency. He also warned that early success does not guarantee long‑term stability and that the squad must tighten up at the back.

Emerging protagonists: Félix and Ramos

João Félix enjoyed ample space on the left flank, linking with Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto before lashing home the opening goal. The forward’s confidence stems from a prolific spell at Al‑Nassr, where he featured in 47 matches during the 2025/26 season, netting 26 goals and providing 18 assists. His previous stints at Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona and Milan have now given way to a resurgence in Saudi Arabia that appears to have followed him into the national team.

Portugal triumph without Ronaldo after Nyland blunder in Nations League duel

Gonçalo Ramos, the new Milan striker, started the match after a bench role against Wales and seized the opportunity when goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland mishandled a back‑pass. Ramos recovered the Portuguese lead and sealed the 2‑1 victory, reinforcing his reputation for making an impact when called upon.

Noruega matched Portugal in the first half, creating a balanced contest. Martin Ødegaard’s free‑kick was saved poorly by Diogo Costa, Berg headed the rebound, and Erling Haaland’s effort forced a Norwegian equaliser. In the second half, a clumsy pass from Nyland to Ødegaard was intercepted by Ramos, who finished calmly.

Erling Haaland draws level and Gonçalo Ramos restores the lead in Oslo

For Portugal, the contrast between capitalising on Noruega’s errors and the opponents’ own missed chances underlines a new era of opportunism under Jesus. Para Portugal, the result not only secures the group lead but also highlights the emerging roles of Félix and Ramos as decisive figures moving forward.