Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute as Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 in a UEFA Nations League match in Oslo on Sunday, Portugal manager Jorge Jesus said.
The result left Portugal top of their Nations League group after consecutive wins.
Coach cites tactical reasons and player management
Jesus gave two explanations for leaving the 41-year-old on the bench, both reported by Portuguese and Nigerian outlets. In a report carried by Punch, Jesus said the decision was tactical and not driven by fitness concerns, adding that Ronaldo “was ready” to play and that the coach had considered bringing him on during the second half. Punch also reported Jesus said he and Ronaldo had agreed beforehand that the captain might come on for the final 30 minutes, but the flow of the match changed that plan.
Daily Post published a related account attributed to Jesus via Al Nassr Zone on X, in which the coach said Ronaldo had played about 70 minutes against Wales a few days earlier and that he was not able to start two matches in a row. Jesus was quoted as saying the team wanted Ronaldo available across the four Nations League fixtures, whether he featured more or fewer minutes.
These explanations were given by Jesus as he reflected on team selection after Portugal used all five permitted substitutions in the match. Punch listed the players introduced as Vitinha, Rafael Leao, Ruben Neves, Francisco Trincao and Bernardo Silva.
Match details
Goncalo Ramos started the match in attack and scored the winning goal, with Joao Felix also on the scoresheet, according to Punch. Ramos had another goal disallowed during the game.
Jesus left open the possibility that Ronaldo could start in an upcoming fixture against Denmark, Punch reported.
What was said, and by whom
- Fact, Ronaldo was an unused substitute and Portugal won 2-1, reported by Punch and Daily Post. Source: Punch, Daily Post.
- Attributed, Jesus told Punch the choice to keep Ronaldo on the bench was tactical and not to protect his physical condition, and that Ronaldo was ready to play. Source: Punch.
- Attributed, Jesus told Al Nassr Zone on X, via Daily Post, that Ronaldo had played roughly 70 minutes against Wales and could not start two consecutive matches, and that the team wanted him available across the four fixtures. Source: Daily Post.
Both accounts come from statements attributed to Jorge Jesus and were reported by Punch and Daily Post. The two outlets present slightly different emphases on the coach’s reasoning: Punch highlights a tactical decision and that Ronaldo was fit; Daily Post highlights rotation because of recent playing time.
Featured image: Ludovic Péron via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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