Ronaldo’s absence was felt throughout Porto on Sunday night, as Portugal secured a fourth win in four matches to mathematically qualify for the quarterfinals. The result, however, did little to overshadow the absence of the 41-year-old Portuguese icon.
After the final whistle, Jesus faced a series of questions about whether Ronaldo would play for Portugal again and whether the veteran forward would receive a farewell worthy of his career, similar to the one his long-time rival Lionel Messi is set to receive with Argentina.
“Cristiano? For the next international window, he will be called up. If he wants to, he will return with us. We will discuss it again before the next squad is announced, but it is up to him to decide,” Jesus said.
The decision therefore remains in Ronaldo’s hands. The former Real Madrid star is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 234 appearances and 146 goals.
With Portugal securing qualification in this first window after collecting 12 points from four matches, the Portuguese Football Federation could have an opportunity to give its iconic player a more fitting farewell during the next international break in mid-November.
Ramos delivers again
While the Ronaldo situation remains unresolved, Portugal’s life without “CR7” has continued almost as smoothly as it began against Denmark, when the team won 4-2. Jesus had declined to comment on the situation with his former captain before Sunday’s match.
Long overshadowed by Ronaldo, former Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos was decisive again. After scoring and providing an assist in the previous match, he struck the winning goal late on in the 79th minute to give Portugal a 2-1 victory.
Ramos finished off a superb move that began with a chipped ball from his former teammate Vitinha and was kept alive by Joao Felix.
Despite a series of chances for Portugal, it was Erling Haaland’s teammates who opened the scoring. Martin Odegaard’s long-range free kick was met by central defender Kristoffer Ajer, who produced a fine volley in the 36th minute to put Norway 1-0 ahead.
The Vikings barely had time to celebrate before Barcelona full-back Joao Cancelo levelled with another powerful strike two minutes later. He was in the right place to meet the rebound from Nuno Mendes’ long throw and make it 1-1 in the 38th minute.
The former Manchester City player nearly completed his brace early in the second half, but his powerful volley was this time kept out by Brest goalkeeper Egil Selvik in the 54th minute. Selvik had been preferred to veteran Orjan Nyland after Nyland’s costly mistake in the first leg, which Norway lost 2-1.
Norway, who sit bottom of Group 4 with just three points, struggled to make an impact after Haaland was substituted at his own request in the 67th minute, with Jorgen Strand Larsen taking his place. Their task became even harder after Francisco Conceição was sent off in the 86th minute.
