Norway beat Denmark 3-2 on Thursday, with Erling Braut Haaland scoring twice. Tonight brings the biggest test of all: Portugal at Ullevaal. Following Saturday’s press conference, Ståle Solbakken billed the meeting as a ‘clash of generations’ between Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal won their opener 1-0 against Wales thanks to a defensive error, but will be without Bruno Fernandes. The Manchester United star played through an injury he picked up while in action for United, and has now been removed from Portugal’s squad on UEFA’s official player lists. National team manager Jorge Jesus was also unwilling to risk him and wants him fully fit for Thursday’s match against Denmark. That makes Norway’s task even easier: Portugal’s most important player is missing.

It is also uncertain whether Ronaldo himself will start. The 41-year-old is in the squad, but Jesus will only decide this evening whether he starts the match or begins on the bench.

Norway must also cope without two players: Sondre Langås is injured, and David Møller Wolfe is suspended following his sending-off against Denmark. Fredrik Sjøvold has been called up to the squad and could make his international debut. Solbakken has confirmed that Haaland will start.

History is against Norway: of the eleven previous internationals between the sides, Portugal have won eight and Norway one, and the Portuguese won 3-0 when the teams last met in 2016. But Norway have not lost at home since March 2024, and with seven goals in seven club appearances this season and another two against Denmark, Haaland has never been in hotter form.

Kick-off at Ullevaal is at 20:45 on Sunday.