Ronaldo-less Portugal beat Norway to reach Nations League quarters

PORTO, OCT 5: Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 without sulking superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.

Goncalo Ramos secured a comeback victory for Jorge Jesus's Portugal in the Group A4 clash after Joao Cancelo's rocket levelled Kristoffer Ajer's stunning opener for Norway.

Portugal played out the final minutes with 10 men after Francisco Conceicao was dismissed for two yellow cards in the space of a few seconds for dissent after he appealed for a penalty unsuccessfully.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker Ronaldo walked out on the squad on Wednesday ahead of the previous game against Denmark, after Portugal's all-time top goalscorer learned he would not start.

Portugal are now guaranteed to finish in the top two spots in the group with two matches to spare, thus becoming the first team to reach the last eight in March 2027.
"Cristiano is our captain, the best player Portugal has ever had," Cancelo told RTP.

"Things will certainly end in the best way (with Ronaldo) but the important thing is the four victories."�"AFP