Norway-Portugal set for a Nations League test

Portugal’s Nations League campaign moves into a more demanding phase when they visit Norway on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the starting lineup still to be settled. The match is the team’s first major examination of this international window after its midweek meeting with Wales.

Norway arrive with the status of a side that reached the World Cup quarter-finals, where England eventually ended their run by winning 2-1 after extra time. Their attack will be led by Erling Haaland, who has scored more goals for his country than the number of appearances he has made. Ronaldo, meanwhile, remains international football’s leading scorer, although his role has continued to draw debate in Portugal.

Jorge Jesus is expected to make the final decision on Ronaldo’s involvement from the start. The projected Portugal side features Diogo Costa in goal, with Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Antonio Veiga and Nuno Mendes in defence. Joao Neves, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes are named in midfield, while Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix form the anticipated front three.

Norway’s proposed lineup includes Orjan Nyland, Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Lysaker Heggem and Fredrik Aursnes behind Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge and Patrick Berg. Oscar Bobb, Haaland and Andreas Schjelderup are set to lead the attack. The game begins at 20:45 and will be shown on L’Equipe Live Foot.