A clash of the titans is on the cards this Sunday, when Erling Haaland’s Norway take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal – the all-time leading international goalscorer against the player most likely to overtake him one day. Who will come out on top?
Norway have returned to winning ways following their superb performance at the World Cup. The match against Denmark was a real spectacle, and Erling Haaland once again stood out with a brace.
Norway can go into this match with confidence, not because the visitors aren’t among the strongest national teams in the world, but simply because of their strong home form.
Their last defeat in an official match on home soil was almost three years ago, when they lost 1–0 to Spain in October 2023.
Reigning champions Portugal kicked off with a narrow victory over Wales, though they deserved to win by a much wider margin. Jorge Jesus’s side finished with 23 shots to Wales’s 5, so the match was largely characterised by numerous missed chances.
However, the Norwegians are not a side that will sit back and defend for 90 minutes, and that would almost certainly mean a goal-fest.
How the bookies view it: Norway with the slightest edge
If this match were to be played in Portugal, the odds would be quite different, but this fixture is taking place in Oslo, and the bookmakers believe that the two teams have almost equal chances of winning.
At the moment, Norway are slight favourites at 3/2, whilst Portugal are available at 17/10. A draw is priced at a respectable 13/5.
Recent head-to-head: Heavily one-sided in Portugal’s favour
Norway and Portugal have faced each other many times over the years, but the Landslaget have not had much to celebrate.
Norway have just one win in their last 10 matches against them, with that victory dating back to 2010. Now, however, their current squad is phenomenal, and it is entirely possible that they could achieve another victory.
Players to watch: Haaland just can’t stop scoring
Every football fan is familiar with Erling Haaland’s statistics, but his figures for the national team in particular are extraordinary.
The Manchester City striker has scored 64 goals in 56 appearances for the national team, and again scored a brace in the match against Denmark to secure the victory on Thursday.
There aren’t many defences that can cope with him, and it’s highly likely he’ll find the net again.
Probable line-ups
Norway: Nyland, Aursnes, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson, Odegaard, Berg, Berge, Bobb, Haaland, Schjelderup
Portugal: Costa, Mendes, Veiga, Dias, Cancelo, Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha, Neto, Ronaldo, Felix
Anything else catch the eye?
Norway’s matches never disappoint, which is precisely why they are the favourites of all neutral fans.
Stale Solbakken’s side aren’t known for their strong defensive play, having kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 matches. They play strictly attacking football, and this almost always results in high-scoring encounters.
I can’t imagine a scenario in which this match won’t see goals at both ends. And given that Portugal have suffered quite a few away defeats over the last two years, I think there’s a strong case for the hosts not only to avoid defeat but, why not, to win the match.
GambleAware