Portugal 2-1 Norway Recap: 10-Man Comeback Seals Perfect Start (Oct 4)

Editor's note: This is an informational article. Official Saint Picks predictions are published separately in the Picks section.

Portugal 2-1 Norway at a sold-out Estadio do Dragao had everything: an early shock, an instant response, an injury to the world's most feared striker, a winning goal 11 minutes from time — and a red card that forced the hosts to survive with ten men.

What happened

Kristoffer Ajer stunned the Dragao in the 36th minute, putting Norway ahead. Portugal's reply was instant: Joao Cancelo equalized just two minutes later. Then the game's turning point off the ball — Erling Haaland was substituted in the 67th minute with an apparent injury, replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the score still 1-1.

Goncalo Ramos struck the winner in the 79th minute. And the drama wasn't over: Francisco Conceicao was sent off in the 86th, picking up two yellow cards in the same minute, leaving Portugal to see out the final minutes a man down.

The betting recap

Goals markets delivered from the morning preview: BTTS Yes ~1.50 cashed, Over 2.5 goals ~1.49 cashed (three goals on the night), and the BTTS + Over 2.5 combo at 1.80 landed too. Portugal -1 on the Asian handicap pushed — they won by exactly one.

Group A4 standings

Portugal stay perfect on 12 points — six clear at the top with two games left. Denmark climb to second on 6 points after their 1-0 win in Cardiff. Wales and Norway sit on 3 points apiece, with Wales ahead on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Four wins from four, and this time without Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad — Jorge Jesus's new Portugal keeps rolling.