Portugal continue winning ways without Cristiano Ronaldo as Erling Haaland limps off

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Title holders Portugal maintained their 100% record in the Nations League with a 2-1 ​home win over Norway on Sunday to seal a place in the March quarter-finals and shift the focus further away from Cristiano Ronaldo’s abrupt exit from the squad last week.

But Erling Haaland sparked concern for Norway and Manchester City by requesting he be substituted in the 67th minute of the tie, and limped off the pitch.

Portugal’s win was soured by a red card for Francisco Conceicao four minutes from time; he gave the referee a cynical thumbs ‌up after receiving a yellow card and was immediately handed his ‌marching orders.

Goncalo Ramos netted 11 minutes from time to ensure Portugal secured a top-two finish in Group A4 as they moved six points ahead of second-placed Denmark, who won 1-0 at Wales.

The Netherlands took over at the top of Group A2, after beating Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven, but only on goal difference from Greece, who held on grimly for a goalless draw at home to Germany in Thessaloniki.

Portugal were still under a cloud from Ronaldo’s dispute with coach Jorge Jesus, although they were triumphant without him in Denmark last Thursday after he walked out on the squad, and continued their winning ways in Porto on Sunday.

Norway took the lead in the 36th minute from centre-back Kristoffer Ajer, who hit a dipping half-volley from the edge of ⁠the box.

But if that effort was sumptuous, Joao Cancelo’s thrashing effort to equalise two minutes later ​was even ⁠more awe-inspiring. Ramos’ winner came off his calf after Joao Felix had headed across goal for him to score.

In Group D2, Abdulakh ‌Khaybulayev’s first-half goal was enough ​to send Azerbaijan top of the standings with a 1-0 ‌win over previously unbeaten Lithuania, while veteran Teddy ​Teuma came on as a second-half substitute to hand Malta a 1-0 home win over Andorra in Group D1.

Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward made several key saves to keep Denmark at bay in Cardiff, but then conceded a penalty with a foul on Gustav Isaksen, allowing Rasmus Hojlund to tuck away a 75th-minute penalty to win their tie.

The Netherlands, with captain Virgil van Dijk ⁠celebrating a 100th cap, went ahead against Serbia when Teun Koopmeiners’s 31st-minute freekick evaded all in the penalty area and crept into the corner.

But the visitors were level within four minutes as Aleksa Terzic crossed for teenager Mihajlo Cvetkovic to rise over Koopmeiners and head in his first international goal.

It took until the 72nd minute to go back ahead when Denzel Dumfries’ low cross was turned back across the goal by Tijjani Reijnders, sliding in at the far post, and tapped in by Joshua Zirkzee, who received a late ‌call-up to the Dutch squad last week.

Germany dominated against Greece but Jurgen Klopp’s inexperienced side could not find the net, and they have won only one of their first four games under the new coach.

Austria needed a late equaliser ⁠to draw 1-1 at Kosovo but still have a three-point lead at the top of Group ⁠B3 after the Republic of Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 behind closed doors in the Serbian town of Backa Topola.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in