Portugal vs. Norway—Nations League: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Portugal faces off against Norway. | Visionhaus/Getty Images (Portugal), Seb Daly – Sportsfile/UEFA/Getty Images (Norway)Portugal is aiming to complete a perfect international break when it faces Norway for the second time during this merged September-October window.

Portugal is aiming to complete a perfect international break when it faces Norway for the second time during this merged September-October window.

These two nations met only last week in Oslo, where post-match events overshadowed Portugal’s 2–1 victory. Record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel at the final whistle, after being left on the bench by new manager Jorge Jesus. Crisis talks ensued before Ronaldo decided to leave the Portuguese camp.

These two nations met only last week in Oslo, where post-match events overshadowed Portugal’s 2–1 victory. Record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel at the final whistle, after being left on the bench by new manager Jorge Jesus. Crisis talks ensued before Ronaldo decided to leave the Portuguese camp.

However, this talented roster Jesus inherited had few issues bypassing Denmark in its first match without Ronaldo, winning 4–2 in Copenhagen amid a sprightly and dynamic attacking performance.

However, this talented roster Jesus inherited had few issues bypassing Denmark in its first match without Ronaldo, winning 4–2 in Copenhagen amid a sprightly and dynamic attacking performance.

Portugal is three wins from three at the start of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, and targeting a record-extending third triumph in this competition next summer. The Iberians are the current holders of this trophy, having also won the very first edition.

Portugal is three wins from three at the start of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, and targeting a record-extending third triumph in this competition next summer. The Iberians are the current holders of this trophy, having also won the very first edition.

Norway, meanwhile, is perhaps dealing with a post-World Cup hangover. Ståle Solbakken’s side lived up to its “dark horse” tag and reached the quarterfinals in North America, but the visitors head into Sunday’s match having lost back-to-back games.

Norway, meanwhile, is perhaps dealing with a post-World Cup hangover. Ståle Solbakken’s side lived up to its “dark horse” tag and reached the quarterfinals in North America, but the visitors head into Sunday’s match having lost back-to-back games.

Victory for the hosts here guarantees their place in next year’s quarterfinals.

Victory for the hosts here guarantees their place in next year’s quarterfinals.

João Félix has been in inspired form. | Adam Escada/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesRonaldo’s bench-warming in Oslo and subsequent departure means we may never get to see the 41-year-old duel with the finest sharpshooter of the current generation, Erling Haaland.

Ronaldo’s bench-warming in Oslo and subsequent departure means we may never get to see the 41-year-old duel with the finest sharpshooter of the current generation, Erling Haaland.

Haaland has transformed Norwegian soccer and had scored three goals in his first two games of the break, but Wales kept him quiet in a surprise 2–1 victory for Craig Bellamy’s side.

Haaland has transformed Norwegian soccer and had scored three goals in his first two games of the break, but Wales kept him quiet in a surprise 2–1 victory for Craig Bellamy’s side.

He’s rarely defied for long, so Portugal must be wary, but Jesus’s side, despite the Ronaldo debacle, is playing with an assured swagger that curiously seems to exclusively roll around in Nations League season. Portugal absolutely loves this competition.

He’s rarely defied for long, so Portugal must be wary, but Jesus’s side, despite the Ronaldo debacle, is playing with an assured swagger that curiously seems to exclusively roll around in Nations League season. Portugal absolutely loves this competition.

Ramos will once again deputise for Ronaldo. | FotMobWith Ronaldo leaving Portugal’s camp in a huff, Jesus has handed Gonçalo Ramos back-to-back starts.

With Ronaldo leaving Portugal’s camp in a huff, Jesus has handed Gonçalo Ramos back-to-back starts.

The man who replaced Portugal’s all-time record goalscorer during the knockout stages at the 2022 World Cup, subsequently scoring a hat trick in the round-of-16 beatdown of Switzerland, ought to have gotten more of a look-in under Roberto Martínez.

The man who replaced Portugal’s all-time record goalscorer during the knockout stages at the 2022 World Cup, subsequently scoring a hat trick in the round-of-16 beatdown of Switzerland, ought to have gotten more of a look-in under Roberto Martínez.

João Félix has been in inspired form during this break from a No. 10 position, and will likely return to the team after scoring off the bench last time out. He may even displace Bruno Fernandes, who assisted twice in the victory over Denmark.

João Félix has been in inspired form during this break from a No. 10 position, and will likely return to the team after scoring off the bench last time out. He may even displace Bruno Fernandes, who assisted twice in the victory over Denmark.

Francisco Conceição is the only injury concern for the hosts. The slight Juventus winger is carrying a thigh issue, and if he’s unable to play, Jesus may switch Pedro Neto over to the right and retain Rafael Leão, Portugal’s new No. 7, on the opposite flank.

Francisco Conceição is the only injury concern for the hosts. The slight Juventus winger is carrying a thigh issue, and if he’s unable to play, Jesus may switch Pedro Neto over to the right and retain Rafael Leão, Portugal’s new No. 7, on the opposite flank.

Portugal predicted lineup vs. Norway (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; J. Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Félix, Leão, Ramos.

Portugal predicted lineup vs. Norway (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; J. Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Félix, Leão, Ramos.

Norway has suffered back-to-back defeats. | FotMobNorway is missing defender Torbjørn Heggem through suspension on Sunday after he was sent off in its surprise defeat to Wales last time out.

Norway is missing defender Torbjørn Heggem through suspension on Sunday after he was sent off in its surprise defeat to Wales last time out.

Marcus Pedersen is likely to deputize at the heart of Norway’s defense alongside Kristoffer Ajer.

Marcus Pedersen is likely to deputize at the heart of Norway’s defense alongside Kristoffer Ajer.

Heggem picked up the second red card of this break for the Norwegians, following David Møller Wolfe’s dismissal against Denmark on Matchday 1. Wolfe served his one-game suspension and was back in the starting lineup on Matchday 3.

Heggem picked up the second red card of this break for the Norwegians, following David Møller Wolfe’s dismissal against Denmark on Matchday 1. Wolfe served his one-game suspension and was back in the starting lineup on Matchday 3.

Back-to-back defeats should spark a rethink from Solbakken, with Antonio Nusa and Patrick Berg among the players potentially coming back into the side on Sunday.

Back-to-back defeats should spark a rethink from Solbakken, with Antonio Nusa and Patrick Berg among the players potentially coming back into the side on Sunday.

Norway predicted lineup vs. Portugal (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Pederson, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa.

Norway predicted lineup vs. Portugal (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Pederson, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa.

Published 5 hours ago | Modified 5 hours agoJAMES CORMACKJames Cormack is a writer for SI FC. Opting against a football coaching undergraduate degree at the last minute, he instead decided to take on a six-month internship with 90min in 2019 and hasn't looked back. Cormack's current SEO focus means he tends to venture to the land of match previews and predicted lineups, but he also has a wealth of experience in news and feature writing. A passion for soccer's history and the European game often takes his work beyond the familiarity of the Premier League, but it's with Tottenham Hotspur where his strongest allegiance lies.