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Portugal edge Norway 2-1 despite Erling Haaland's 65th international goal

Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in the Nations League despite Erling Haaland's 65th international goal, with Cristiano Ronaldo left on the bench.

Medianaija Editorial2 min read

João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos scored for Portugal, who won in Oslo with Cristiano Ronaldo left on the bench as an unused substitute.

Erling Haaland scored his 65th international goal on Sunday night, but it was not enough to stop Portugal beating Norway 2-1 at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.

João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos got the goals for the visitors, who made it two wins from two in the Nations League without ever calling on Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old was an unused substitute, his pursuit of 1,000 career goals on hold with 21 still to go.

Félix put Portugal ahead in the first half with his second goal in as many games. Norway, who had opened their campaign by beating Denmark 3-2, hit back early in the second half when Martin Ødegaard's free-kick was parried by Diogo Costa and Patrick Berg nodded the loose ball down for Haaland to tap in from close range. It was his 22nd Nations League goal, extending his record as the competition's all-time leading scorer, and it took him to 65 goals in only 57 caps.

Norway's lead lasted three minutes. Ørjan Nyland's clearance went straight to Ramos, who chipped the goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Nyland's rough night almost got worse, but VAR ruled out a second Ramos finish for offside after another mistake from the keeper.

Portugal, missing the injured Bruno Fernandes, saw the game out to stay perfect at the top of Group A4, having opened their own campaign with a 1-0 win over Wales. For Ronaldo, the wait goes on: he needs 21 more goals to reach 1,000 for his career.

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