27 Sept 2026

Norway 1-2 Portugal: Costa shines, Sofascore Rating 9.4

Portugal took a valuable 2-1 win over Norway at Ullevaal in League A, Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League. The visitors were out-shot and out-possessed but held firm in the key moments. João Félix opened the scoring, Erling Haaland equalized after halftime, and Gonçalo Ramos restored Portugal’s lead minutes later. From there, it turned into a survival shift led by Diogo Costa.

Norway’s numbers looked like those of the winning side. Portugal’s scoreboard said otherwise. Full match data and player metrics are available on the Sofascore match page, with competition context on the UEFA Nations League hub.

How the goals happened

Portugal struck first on 17 minutes. Pedro Neto fed João Félix, who finished low to give the visitors a 1-0 lead despite Norway’s early territorial edge. The move started from left-back territory and flowed into the inside channel, with Félix’s shot carrying an xG of 0.135 and a hefty 0.938 expected goals on target. That set the tone for a clinical Portuguese front line.

Norway answered soon after the break. In the 51st minute, Patrick Berg kept the attack alive and Haaland swept in a left-footed equalizer from close range with a 0.723 xG chance. The hosts barely had time to build on it. Three minutes later, at 54′, Ramos intercepted in Norway’s half and scored the winner with a right-footed finish to the low centre. VAR checked and confirmed the goal at 58′. The sequence also matched a recorded goalkeeper error on Ørjan Nyland, whose miscue factored into the decisive moment.

Norway’s dominance without reward

On the balance sheet, Norway controlled much of the game. They had 62% possession, 569 passes to Portugal’s 353, and a 488-284 edge in accurate passes. They also carried a strong territorial threat with 49 final-third entries to Portugal’s 31. Their box pressure was constant, shown by 35 touches in the penalty area compared to Portugal’s 13. The headline number was expected goals: 2.72 for Norway versus 1.03 for Portugal.

Ståle Solbakken’s side produced 22 total shots, 6 on target, and 5 big chances. Yet they missed 4 of those big chances, a costly theme. Haaland led the line with 8 shots, 4 on target and 1 goal, posting an individual xG of 1.694 and two big chances missed. Martin Ødegaard created 4 key passes and 1 big chance while completing 81 of 91 passes. Antonio Nusa carried a live-wire threat with 3 key passes and 0.597 xA. Despite all that, finishing variance and elite goalkeeping kept the hosts stuck on one.

Portugal’s resilience and defensive work

Portugal’s back line and midfield were busy and decisive. They completed 27 clearances to Norway’s 15 and made 16 interceptions to Norway’s 12. They also won 72% of their tackles compared to Norway’s 41%, a crucial split in a game where the hosts carried most of the play. Renato Veiga led the defensive stand with 12 clearances, a last-man tackle and a 7.6 Sofascore Rating. Rúben Dias added 5 clearances and 2 blocks and guided the back line through long spells of pressure.

The fullbacks had contrasting evenings. João Cancelo stacked 4 tackles and 4 interceptions but picked up a yellow card. On the other flank, Nuno Mendes battled through 14 ground duels lost, yet still made 5 interceptions and 9 recoveries to help protect the box. Upfield, Félix finished with a goal and an 8.2 Sofascore Rating. Ramos delivered the winner and 2 shots, one on target, before giving way on 81 minutes. Portugal absorbed pressure, committed 12 fouls and accrued six yellows, but managed the game’s decisive zones.

Key duels and tactical notes

Norway carried the physical and dribble edge. They won 59% of all duels, including 61% of ground duels and 57% of aerials. Their dribble success was 57% versus Portugal’s 33%. They also produced 7 corners to 2 and hit 16 shots inside the box. Yet Portugal’s penalty-area defending held shape, and the visitors’ 80% cross accuracy on a low volume of 5 stood out for efficiency compared to Norway’s 36% from 25 attempts.

The hosts’ 4-3-3 gave Ødegaard plenty of touches between the lines, and his 113 total touches reflected that. Solbakken introduced Oscar Bobb on 72 minutes and Jørgen Strand Larsen later on 81, chasing a second goal. Portugal operated from a 4-3-1-2 base, looked to spring their forwards early, and then tightened the game after retaking the lead. Vitinha and Rafael Leão arrived around the hour to freshen legs, with Rúben Neves and Francisco Trincão later reinforcing control. There was also a pre-kickoff yellow for Jorge Jesus on the bench, a reminder of a combustible touchline. In the end, structure plus goalkeeping trumped volume.

MVP: Diogo Costa’s night

Diogo Costa was the difference. He earned a 9.4 Sofascore Rating by saving 5 shots, including 4 from inside the box, in a match where Norway posted 2.72 xG and 3.73 xGOT. His goals prevented stood at 2.73, which maps neatly to the 2-1 scoreline. He matched the aerial and physical test with 1 aerial duel won and 2 clearances and even drew a foul to relieve pressure.

The Portugal goalkeeper added value in possession too, completing 22 of 33 passes and 6 of 17 long balls, plus 7 ball recoveries and a clean sweeper action outside his area. His keeper save value of 1.718 captured the quality of his interventions. João Félix (8.2) and Erling Haaland (8.1) were among the high outfield performers, and Andreas Schjelderup led Norway’s outfielders at 8.4. But Costa’s command of the box and timing on the line defined the result on a night when the hosts generated more than enough to win.

Player of the Match

By Sofascore Rating, the best player was Diogo Costa with 9.4. Fans agreed: he topped the vote with 7273 of 11532 total. The community and the metrics aligned on the same standout performer.

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