Despite Ronaldo's departure, Portugal advances to the quarterfinals with 4 consecutive wins in the Nations League

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jin-nam = Despite Cristiano Ronaldo's voluntary withdrawal, Portugal continued their winning streak in the UEFA Nations League (UNL) and confirmed their advance to the quarterfinals early on.

The Portuguese national soccer team came from behind to win 2-1 over Norway in the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League League A Group 4, 4th home game held at the Estadio do Dragan in Porto, Portugal on the morning of the 5th (Korean time).

As a result, Portugal, who accumulated 12 points by winning all 4 games, took the lead with a 6-point lead over Denmark (6 points, 2 wins, 2 losses), which was second in the group.

In addition, it was decided that the team would secure at least 2nd place in the group regardless of the results of the remaining two games by widening the gap with 3rd place in the group, Wales (3 points, 1 win, 3 losses) to 9 points, and advance to the quarterfinals where the 1st and 2nd place in the 4 groups will compete.

Portugal achieved two consecutive wins even after key striker Ronaldo voluntarily withdrew from the national team after a conflict with coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo, who started in the first match against Wales but was replaced early in the second half and only made the bench in the second match against Norway, left the national team when the Jesus coach announced that he would not be used as a starter in the third match against Denmark.

Afterwards, Portugal won 4-2 away to Denmark, and continued their upward trend by beating Norway again that day.

Portugal, which also won 2-1 in the away game in Norway, lost the opening goal in the rematch that day.

In the 36th minute of the first half, Christopher Ajer scored a wonder goal with a right-footed shot after Martin Odegaard's free kick was dropped with his chest in Ornok in the penalty area. The ball rested on the top of Ayer's right foot, flew diagonally, passed the goalkeeper's key, and was sucked into the goal.

Portugal struck back two minutes later.

Nuno Mends' long throw-in ball from the opponent's left flank was sent into the goal by Joao Cancelo with a non-stop right-footed shot from inside the penalty arc.

It was Gonzalo Hamus who decided the tight game in the 43rd minute of the second half.

When Joao Felix crossed Vitinay with his right foot from the right side of the goal, Hamus scored the game-winning goal by kicking the ball in with his left foot in front of the goal.

Hamus has scored goals in the last three games in a row, starting as a frontline striker instead of Ronaldo. Against Norway, he scored the winning goal in both games.

In the 41st minute of the second half, Francisco Conceição received yellow cards in succession after protesting against a decision and was sent off for accumulating warnings, but Portugal maintained the lead until the end.

Norwegian main gun Erling Haaland limped after gesturing to the bench in the 22nd minute of the second half and was replaced by Jergen Stran Larsen, raising injury concerns.

Denmark, in the same group, defeated Wales 1-0 in enemy territory when Rasmus Hoilun scored the winning goal with a penalty kick in the 30th minute of the second half.

Germany, in Group 2 of League A, led by coach Jurgen Klopp, drew 0-0 with Greece in an away game.

Germany, who lost to Greece in the second home game for the first time in 11 games after a record of 7 wins and 3 draws, failed to beat Greece on this day as well.

Since the 2026 North and Central America World Cup ended and Coach Klopp took charge of the national team, Germany has won only one win (2 draws, 1 loss) in 4 games in this tournament, and was ranked 3rd in the group behind the Netherlands and Greece (2 wins, 2 draws, 8 points).

On this day, the Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1.