Despite the high-profile absence, Portugal managed to navigate a challenging encounter against the World Cup quarter-finalists. Norway initially took the lead through a spectacular long-range strike from Kristoffer Ajer, but Portugal responded with a powerful finish from Joao Cancelo to level the score. The decisive moment arrived in the 86th minute when
Mixed Results Across Europe
Elsewhere in the Nations League,
In Eindhoven, the Netherlands moved to the top of their group following a 2-1 win over Serbia. Joshua Zirkzee, introduced as a second-half substitute, scored the winning goal from a Tijjani Reijnders cross. The match also served as a milestone for Virgil van Dijk, who earned his 100th international cap. Under new manager Xavi, the Dutch remain unbeaten after four matches.
In League B, Ireland and Israel played out a 1-1 draw in a match held in Backa Topola, Serbia. Troy Parrott opened the scoring for Ireland from the penalty spot in the 39th minute after a foul on Jimmy Dunne. Israel equalised shortly after the interval when Dor Peretz capitalised on a deflection off Liam Scales. The Israeli players wore black armbands inscribed with “7.10” to commemorate victims of the October 7, 2023 attack, while the teams did not shake hands before kick-off.
Meanwhile, Wales suffered another defeat as Denmark claimed a 1-0 victory in Cardiff. Rasmus Hojlund converted a 75th-minute penalty after goalkeeper Danny Ward, who had previously made several key saves, fouled Gustav Isaksen.
