FOOTBALL – Defending champions Portugal maintained their 100 per cent record in the Nations League with a 2-1 home win over Norway yesterday 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 yesterday.
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.
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
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