Portugal have continued their perfect run in the UEFA Nations League since Cristiano Ronaldo left the national team camp, securing a second consecutive victory without their captain.
Jorge Jesus’ side followed their 4-2 victory over Denmark with a 2-1 comeback win against Norway on Sunday, October 4, maintaining their 100 per cent record in Group A4 and booking their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
The latest result came just days after Ronaldo unexpectedly left the Portugal camp following a dispute over his selection. The 41-year-old had been left on the bench for Portugal’s previous match against Norway and was subsequently informed that he would not start against Denmark.
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Portugal have responded with two strong performances.
Portugal defeat Denmark without Ronaldo
Portugal’s first match following Ronaldo’s departure came against Denmark in Copenhagen on October 1.
The visitors produced an attacking performance to win 4-2, with João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and João Félix getting on the scoresheet. Denmark twice levelled the match through Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Højlund, but Portugal eventually pulled away.
Ramos played a particularly important role in the victory. The AC Milan striker, who had already scored Portugal’s winner against Norway before Ronaldo left the camp, was preferred in attack and contributed both a goal and an assist against Denmark.
The result moved Portugal to nine points from three matches and gave them a six-point advantage over Denmark at the time.
Another comeback against Norway
Portugal then returned to action against Norway on October 4 and once again had to come from behind.
João Cancelo equalised after Norway had taken the lead, before Gonçalo Ramos scored the decisive goal late in the match.
The 2-1 victory secured Portugal’s place in the Nations League quarter-finals and preserved their perfect record in Group A4.
It also meant Portugal had won consecutive matches without Ronaldo, who had been the team's captain and leading goalscorer for many years.
According to Reuters, Ronaldo's departure has not prevented Portugal from securing six points from their two matches since he left the camp.
Ronaldo’s sudden departure
Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp on September 30 after Jesus confirmed that he would not start against Denmark.
The decision followed his omission from the starting lineup against Norway, a match Portugal won 2-1. Ronaldo remained an unused substitute during that game.
After being informed that Ramos would again start against Denmark, Ronaldo decided to leave the national-team camp.
He subsequently said he would explain the reasons for his departure to the Portuguese public at a later time.
The situation immediately raised questions about whether Ronaldo's international career had come to an end.
Ronaldo is Portugal's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 146 international goals in 234 appearances.
He also recently suggested that the upcoming season could potentially be his final year as a professional footballer, adding further uncertainty to his future with the national team.
Jorge Jesus leaves the door open
Despite the dramatic departure, Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has said Ronaldo remains welcome in the national team.
Jesus said after the victory over Norway that Ronaldo could be selected for the next international window if he wants to return.
The coach indicated that the decision ultimately belongs to the veteran forward and that the two could speak before the next squad announcement.
Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença has also described the situation as a misunderstanding and stressed Ronaldo's importance to the national team.
The federation therefore has not treated Ronaldo's departure as a definitive retirement from international football.
Portugal’s attack stepping up
One of the biggest developments from Portugal's two matches without Ronaldo has been the contribution from the team's other attacking players.
Ramos has emerged as an important figure, scoring against both Norway and Denmark.
João Félix also scored against Denmark, while João Cancelo has contributed goals from defence. Vitinha added another against Denmark, demonstrating the depth available to Jesus.
Portugal's results do not erase Ronaldo's importance to the team, but they demonstrate that the squad has several players capable of contributing offensively in his absence.
The team has now scored six goals across its two matches without him, conceding only three.
Perfect record in Group A4
Portugal's Nations League campaign has been flawless so far.
They began with a 1-0 victory over Wales on September 24, with Ronaldo starting and captaining the team.
They then defeated Norway 2-1 before beating Denmark 4-2 and Norway 2-1 again in the latest round of fixtures.
The sequence leaves Portugal at the top of Group A4 with nine points from three matches and already qualified for the quarter-finals.
Their next Nations League fixtures are scheduled for November, when Portugal are due to face Denmark and Wales.
Whether Ronaldo will be involved remains one of the major questions surrounding the team.
For now, however, Portugal have shown that they can continue collecting results without their long-time captain.
