Cristiano Ronaldo's crisis with the Portugal national football team has shaken the country and entered a phase that threatens to put a tumultuous end to an international career that spanned 23 years, after the historic leader left his country's camp in Copenhagen following a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus, despite attempts to dissuade him from his decision.
While Ronaldo promised to reveal the “truth” behind his departure, his famous number 7 shirt was transferred to Rafael Leao against Denmark, at a time when he is pursued by the possibility of a penalty that could reach a six-month suspension.
The circle of crisis outside the national team expanded with the Prime Minister of Madeira declaring his support for Ronaldo and accusing his critics of trying to “minimize his legacy,” while the biggest question remained outstanding: Was leaving Copenhagen merely a protest, or would it be the last scene for the scorer of 146 goals in 234 international matches?
The Welsh national team overcame its deficit against its Norwegian guest to win 2-1, Thursday, in Cardiff, in the third round of the first-level Group D competitions in the European Nations League.
Norway entered the match strongly, and succeeded in opening the scoring early through Oscar Pope in the 11th minute, after a distinguished joint play with captain Martin Odegaard, who passed him the ball inside the penalty area and he shot it into the net.
Wales tried to respond quickly, and almost equalized in the 17th minute when Sorba Thomas sent a cross ball towards Daniel James inside the area, but David Mueller-Wolf intervened at the last minute and removed the danger.
Before the end of the first half, the hosts took advantage of a mistake in the build-up of the Norwegian team, and Thomas passed a cross that reached Daniel James, who followed it into the net, equalizing in the 38th minute.
Norway's task was complicated immediately after the start of the second half, after Torbjörn Hegem was sent off in the 46th minute, after he obstructed Daniel James when he was in the position of the last defender.
Wales quickly took advantage of the numerical disadvantage, as Neco Williams successfully executed the resulting free kick, scoring the lead and winning goal in the 48th minute.
Despite playing with ten players, Norway tried to get back in the score and created some chances, most notably a long shot from Jørgen Larsen in the 88th minute that went past the top corner of the Welsh goal.
The Norwegian team, led by Erling Haaland, was unable to achieve a draw, suffering its second loss in the group after losing to Portugal 1-2, last Sunday.
After three rounds, Norway's score froze at 3 points, on par with Wales, which revived its chances with this win.
Athletic Bilbao winger Neco Williams left the Spanish national team camp due to a thigh injury, missing Spain's remaining two matches during the current international break.
Williams, 24, scored the fourth goal in Spain's 4-1 win over Croatia on Tuesday, in the European Nations League, before suffering a minor injury.
The Spanish Federation explained that the player felt discomfort in his left thigh after facing Croatia in Seville, and his condition was monitored during the rest day, before he missed the training session on Thursday due to continued discomfort.
After undergoing additional medical examinations, it was decided that he would leave the national team camp and continue his recovery process.
The technical staff will not call for a substitute player, so the team’s roster will consist of 25 players, in preparation for facing the Czech Republic, on Saturday, and then visiting Croatia, on Tuesday.
The Spanish national team, the champion of the 2026 World Cup, started its campaign in the European Nations League strongly, by defeating England 3-2 at Wembley Stadium, before sweeping Croatia 4-1, to lead the third group of the first level with a full score with 6 points.
