Portugal stay perfect without Ronaldo in Nations League
Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner as Portugal beat Norway 2-1 on Sunday, October 4, to maintain a perfect record in the Nations League, while Greece held Germany to a goalless draw.
Portugal have won all four of their Group A4 matches and secured a place in the quarterfinals.
Kristoffer Ajer put Norway ahead in the 36th minute with a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area after controlling Martin Ødegaard's free kick. João Cancelo equalised two minutes later with a similar finish.
Ramos scored the winner in the 79th minute from close range following a move involving Vitinha and João Félix.
Portugal then survived the late dismissal of Francisco Conceição, who was shown a second yellow card.
Cristiano Ronaldo has not played for Portugal since the team's opening Nations League match, a 1-0 win over Wales in which Ramos replaced him. Ronaldo subsequently watched the second game against Norway from the substitutes' bench before leaving the squad.
Portugal went on to beat Denmark 4-2 and Norway 2-1 without the veteran forward.
Norway captain Erling Haaland failed to score for a second consecutive game and was substituted in the 67th minute. He has scored 65 goals in 59 appearances.
In the other Group A4 match, Rasmus Højlund's late penalty gave Denmark a 1-0 win over Wales. Denmark are second in the group with two wins, while Wales and Norway have one win each.
Greece hold Germany
Greece held Germany to a 0-0 draw in Thessaloniki, having also recorded their first win over Germany last week.
Germany dominated possession, passing and chances, but failed to find a breakthrough.
Coach Jürgen Klopp introduced Nick Woltemade and Cologne forward Said El Mala for Jonathan Burkardt and Lennart Karl during the final half-hour in an attempt to strengthen the attack.
Greece, however, came closest to scoring late in the game when Georgios Masouras had an opportunity.
Germany have won only one of Klopp's four games in charge.
In the other Group A2 match, Joshua Zirkzee scored as the Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 at home.
The Netherlands and Greece have eight points each, followed by Germany on five and Serbia with none.
Ireland and Israel draw
Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 in a contentious match in Backa Topola, Serbia.
Both teams wore black armbands. Ireland's players again bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem, repeating the gesture from their first game last week amid protests over Israel's actions in Gaza.
The Football Association of Ireland had resisted calls to boycott the two fixtures, with the players ultimately voting to play the matches.
Israel's players wore black armbands in remembrance of those killed in the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Kosovo and Austria drew 1-1 in the other Group B3 match.
Elsewhere, Azerbaijan defeated Lithuania 1-0, while Malta beat Andorra 1-0.
Sourced through PTI
