Goncalo Ramos scored for the third consecutive UEFA Nations League match as Portugal came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 and secure their place in the quarter-finals with two group-stage games still remaining.
The AC Milan striker’s decisive goal at the Estadio do Dragao was his 14th for Portugal, giving him an international scoring rate of one goal every 92 minutes.
Portugal fell behind when Norway defender Kristoffer Ajer scored in the 36th minute. Joao Cancelo restored parity just two minutes later, before Ramos completed the comeback with the winning goal in the 79th minute.
Ramos had also scored in Portugal’s 4-2 victory over Denmark and in their earlier 2-1 win against Norway. His latest contribution came in Portugal’s first home match since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose absence was felt against a Norway side that needed to improve its performance to keep its own Nations League hopes alive.
The match produced an open contest, particularly during an entertaining first half. Under manager Jorge Jesus, Portugal showed a clear intention to play direct, attacking football and turn the game into a fast-paced, expansive encounter.
Ramos’ form prompted Spanish newspaper Marca to praise the forward with the headline: “Goncalo Ronaldo has been born… Goncalo Ramos wears Cristiano’s shirt and takes Portugal through.”
Ronaldo had left the Portugal camp angry following a disagreement with Jorge Jesus. He had remained on the substitutes’ bench for the entirety of Portugal’s first match against Norway, a decision that contributed to the tension between the two men.
The former Al Nassr manager had also said at a news conference before the Denmark fixture that no player would change his ideas, and that nobody else in football would do so either. Those comments reportedly increased Ronaldo’s displeasure.
With Ramos now scoring in three successive matches, Portugal have progressed to the Nations League quarter-finals despite conceding first against Norway. His latest goal also strengthened the impression that the Milan forward is taking on a greater attacking responsibility for the national side following Ronaldo’s departure.