Jorge Jesus explained that leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench during Portugal’s Nations League win against Norway was a “tactical decision.”
Portugal secured a 2-1 victory at Ullevaal Stadion on Sunday, thanks to goals from Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, with Erling Haaland netting for Norway in between.
Joao Felix has now netted six times in his last 11 matches as a starter for Portugal, continuing to excel under Jesus, who previously managed him at Al-Nassr.
Despite Portugal’s struggles during the match, registering only 1.04 expected goals (xG) with just 38% possession, they managed to maintain their perfect start to defending their Nations League title, even without Ronaldo’s contributions from the bench.
“It wasn’t the right time to bring Ronaldo on; it was a tactical choice,” Jesus stated. “I needed a different type of player, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of the picture. He might play against Denmark.”
Obrigado. #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/sxYHxoEOfd
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 27, 2026
Haaland was the primary threat to Portugal’s victory, leading the match in shots with eight and contributing 1.5 to Norway’s xG total.
Even though Haaland found the net, Jesus felt pleased with how his team defended against Norway.
“This was an excellent victory against one of Europe’s best teams, who are ranked in the top five alongside Portugal,” Jesus noted. “They have a striker capable of scoring at any moment; it’s remarkable.”
“Our defense, particularly the two center-backs, with support from Joao Palhinha and Ruben Neves in defensive phases, performed strongly in the center. Still, Haaland managed seven shots in the box, scoring once.”
“We were organized defensively and more creative offensively, particularly with the introduction of new players. However, we still need to develop offensive ideas and collective effort, which is normal at this stage; I haven’t had enough time for that.”
Fan Take: This news is significant as it highlights Portugal’s tactical flexibility and the potential transition away from relying on Ronaldo, which could reshape their approach in upcoming tournaments. Fans should pay attention to how these developments affect Portugal’s performance and strategy, especially in major competitions where the quality of their attacking gameplay will be crucial.
Source: www.soccernews.com
