Without their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese national football team has lost the lead in the Nations League to neighboring Spain.
The team coached by Fernando Santos lost 1-0 (0-1) to Switzerland, who were previously pointless at the bottom, on Sunday after an early deficit, while the new leaders in Group A2 celebrated a 2-0 (1-0) home win against the Czech Republic.
Norway defended its lead in Group B4 with a 3-2 (1-0) win over Scandinavian rivals Sweden. The team of double goalscorer Erling Haaland is three points ahead of Serbia, who did not get past a 2-2 (2-0) win in Slovenia.
Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho and BVB professional Raphael Guerreiro had not even traveled to Geneva with the Portuguese. The trio were given a breather – and without top international goalscorer Ronaldo there was an early setback. Less than a minute was played when former Frankfurt player Haris Seferovic headed the first Swiss attack.
A lively game then developed, in which a hand penalty for Switzerland was taken back after video evidence (13th) and the possible Portuguese equalizer from Rafael Leao (18th) was denied for offside.
Spain held off the Czech Republic’s impressive pressing in Malaga. After initial difficulties, Carlos Soler (24th) scored for the half-time lead, which the 2010 world champion earned more and more as the season progressed. Joker Pablo Sarabia (75th) made everything clear shortly after being substituted on.
Haaland brace initiates Norway’s success
In League B, leaders Norway remain undefeated thanks to Haaland. In Oslo, the 21-year-old scored twice as in the first leg (10th, 54th / penalty kick).
Alexander Sörloth (77′) scored the third Norwegian goal, the connecting goals from Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg (62′) and striker Viktor Gyökeres (90’+5) were not enough for Sweden. In the other group game, Serbia gave up a comfortable half-time lead.