Pedro Neto set up one goal for im former Chelsea team-mate Joao Felix as Portugal record impressive 2-1 win away to Norway for UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening. Neto play 87 minutes for Oslo. He dribble down left wing, then lay ball well for Joao Felix edge of box. Felix take one touch and finish with confidence. The goal come for 16th minute.
Norway answer early for second half when Erling Haaland equalize. But Goncalo Ramos restore Portugal lead soon after one error by Orjan Nyland. Ramos think say he don score second, but long VAR check show say offside dey for build-up. Norway press for second equalizer late for entertaining match, but Portugal stand firm to make am two wins from two as dem seek to defend Nations League crown wey dem win last summer. Neto replaced by Bernardo Silva three minutes from time.
For another senior match, Jorrel Hato na unused substitute as Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 for Belgrade.
Earlier on Sunday, four Chelsea players feature for England Under-18s as dem qualify for semi-finals of UEFA Friendship Cup with 2-1 win over Egypt for Nyon. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, wey dey spend season on loan at Portsmouth, open scoring for quarter-hour with superb strike from 20 yards. The winger carry threat throughout first half, force good save from opposition goalkeeper after another mazy run and flash angled drive inches wide of far post. Gabriel Sambou and Jashayde Greenwood enter midway through second half, while Calvin Diakite also enter fray, with Kavuma-McQueen one of those wey make way. Egypt level with 11 minutes left but Young Lions soon back in front, and na Greenwood supply precise pass wey set up Michael Mills of Newcastle to score winning goal. England Under-18s next play on Wednesday 30 September against South Korea.
But di big talking point for Portugal match na Cristiano Ronaldo. He no play one minute against Norway despite say he dey available, something wey no happen for official match since 2008. Ronaldo sit for bench entire match, no injury. Cameras follow am well well. He even go warm up along touchline for final stretch of match, but coach no use am. Last time he sit for bench? You go back two years to friendly against Croatia for June 2024. For last real one, official match with points or qualification at stake, e go back to June 15, 2008, for group stage of European Championship when Portugal don already qualify and lose against Switzerland.
New Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus explain am. He talk say dem even agree with Ronaldo say he go come on for last half hour, but match no require am. Goncalo Ramos play well, score one goal, another disallowed, so coach feel say no be right time to substitute am. Jesus start Ronaldo against Wales and rule out say he injure. Coach talk say no be to protect am physically, because Ronaldo dey condition to play for as long as coach want. He talk say match run its course and e stop being right moment for Cris to come on; instead another player needed to guarantee balance and result. Coach indicate say he fit use am again against Denmark for next match.
Jesus add say na decision. He no think say na ideal moment, he need player with different characteristics, but dat no mean say Ronaldo don rule out, quite opposite. Perhaps now, against Denmark, he go play. Coach also deny say Goncalo Ramos, scorer of second goal, been given more playing time. Cristiano still get competitive gene just like when he be 18. He serious for bench and head to dressing room when referee blow final whistle. He no join teammates to applaud fans wey support team for pitch.
