Portugal reach Nations League QF as Ramos nets 79th-min winner vs Norway
Synopsis
Ronaldo who? Portugal cruised into the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals without their iconic captain, with Goncalo Ramos and Joao Cancelo doing the heavy lifting in a dramatic 2-1 win over Norway. The result, achieved despite a late red card for Francisco Conceicao, confirms Portugal's quarter-final berth as Group A4 leaders.
Key Takeaways
Goncalo Ramos scored a 79th-minute winner to give Portugal a 2-1 victory over Norway on 5 October 2026 .
Kristoffer Ajer put Norway ahead before Joao Cancelo equalised just two minutes later.
Francisco Conceicao was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the closing stages.
Portugal have sealed their place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals as Group A4 leaders.
Rasmus Hojlund scored a penalty as Denmark beat Wales ; Joshua Zirkzee netted the winner for the Netherlands against Serbia .
Goncalo Ramos struck in the 79th minute to hand Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal a 2-1 victory over a spirited Norway side on 5 October 2026, sealing the two-time champions' place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The win keeps Portugal perfect at the top of Group A4 despite finishing the match with 10 men.
How the Goals Came
Kristoffer Ajer gave the visitors a stunning lead with a sumptuous half-volley, putting Norway ahead in spectacular fashion. Portugal responded with remarkable swiftness — just two minutes later, Joao Cancelo powered home a composed equaliser to restore parity.
The decisive moment arrived when Ramos applied a clinical finish to a clever lay-off from Joao Felix, giving Portugal the lead they would not relinquish. The hosts held on despite Francisco Conceicao being dismissed for a second bookable offence in the closing stages, adding late drama to an already tense encounter.
Denmark and the Netherlands Also Advance
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were the protagonists in two other notable results on the night. Hojlund's composed penalty proved the difference as Denmark secured their second win of the campaign against Wales, extending an unbeaten run against the Welsh to five matches.
Wales had started brightly, with Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas causing problems early, but Denmark wrestled control. Goalkeeper Danny Ward produced two outstanding saves to deny Hojlund and Gustav Isaksen, before a misplaced pass by Ward led to the decisive penalty. Hojlund converted to score his third goal in his last four Nations League matches.
The Netherlands also secured a 2-1 win over Serbia in Eindhoven, remaining unbeaten under coach Xavi Hernandez. Teun Koopmeiners' free-kick opened the scoring before Mihajlo Cvetkovic's header levelled for Serbia. Zirkzee then settled the contest from close range with 19 minutes remaining, leaving the Dutch with two wins and two draws in their section.
Portugal's Quarter-Final Credentials
Portugal's qualification as Group A4 leaders, even without their all-time top scorer Ronaldo, underscores the squad depth Roberto Martinez has built. Notably, Ramos and Joao Felix combined for the winner — a partnership that could define Portugal's knockout-round ambitions. The red card for Conceicao will be a concern heading into the next fixture.
What Happens Next
The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals draw will determine Portugal's next opponents as the competition enters its knockout phase. Denmark and the Netherlands will also be eyeing progression from their respective groups, with all three nations having demonstrated strong form across the group stage.
Point of View
With Ramos and Joao Felix linking up as a credible strike partnership. However, Conceicao's red card is a recurring disciplinary concern — he cannot afford such lapses in knockout football. For Norway, a dominant opening goal squandered by a two-minute capitulation raises familiar questions about their defensive resilience in high-pressure moments. The wider Group A4 picture also signals that Portugal remain genuine contenders for the Nations League title, not just quarter-final participants.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Portugal qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals?
Portugal sealed their quarter-final berth by beating Norway 2-1 on 5 October 2026, with Goncalo Ramos scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute. The victory keeps them top of Group A4 with a perfect winning record.
Who scored for Portugal against Norway?
Joao Cancelo equalised after Kristoffer Ajer's opener for Norway, and Goncalo Ramos then headed in the winner from a Joao Felix lay-off to complete the 2-1 scoreline.
Was Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Portugal in this match?
No, Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the Portugal squad for this fixture. The team still secured a convincing win, highlighting the squad's depth beyond its iconic captain.
What happened with Francisco Conceicao in the Portugal vs Norway match?
Francisco Conceicao was sent off in the closing stages after receiving a second yellow card, leaving Portugal to hold on to their lead with 10 men for the final minutes.
How did Denmark and the Netherlands fare in the Nations League on the same night?
Denmark beat Wales with a Rasmus Hojlund penalty to record their second win and extend an unbeaten run against Wales to five matches. The Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven thanks to a Joshua Zirkzee goal, leaving them with two wins and two draws and unbeaten under Xavi Hernandez.
