Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Portugal Reach Nations League Quarter-Finals as Europe Plays On
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 and became the first team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.
Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal late in the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not playing, and coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo could return if he chose to.
Germany and Greece finished 0-0 after a German goal was disallowed.
The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 and moved to the top of their group.
Israel and Ireland drew 1-1 in a match with visible gestures of remembrance and protest.
Denmark beat Wales 1-0 with a penalty.
These were Nations League matches that affected teams’ progress and standings.
Portugal beat Norway 2-1, becoming the first team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals; Goncalo Ramos scored in the 86th minute.
Germany drew 0-0 with Greece in Thessaloniki after Jonathan Burkardt’s first-half goal was disallowed.
The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 through Joshua Zirkzee’s winner and moved to the top of their group.
Israel and Ireland drew 1-1; the match included Israeli commemorative armbands, Irish players bowing during the anthem and no pre-match handshakes.
Denmark beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff after Rasmus Hojlund scored a 75th-minute penalty.
- Who
- Portugal, Norway, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Serbia, Israel, Ireland, Wales and Denmark played Nations League matches.
- What
- Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals by beating Norway 2-1; other reported matches included two draws and wins for the Netherlands and Denmark.
- When
- Sunday; one report was published on October 5, 2026.
- Where
- Matches included venues in Thessaloniki, Eindhoven, Backa Topola and Cardiff.
- Why
- The teams were playing Nations League fixtures; Portugal’s victory secured its quarter-final qualification.
Irish protest and security concerns
Israeli commemoration
Gestures surrounding Israel-Ireland
Irish protest and security concerns
Irish players bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem and had worn armbands in the previous match to protest the war in Gaza. The Football Association of Ireland declined to host Israel in Ireland, citing security reasons after boycott calls.
Israeli commemoration
Israeli players wore black armbands marked “7.10” to commemorate victims of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.
- Portugal-Norway
- Portugal won 2-1; Goncalo Ramos scored the 86th-minute winner.
- Quarter-final qualification
- Portugal became the first team to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Ronaldo was absent after walking out of camp when Jorge Jesus relegated him to the bench; Jesus said a return would be Ronaldo’s decision.
- Germany-Greece
- The match ended 0-0; Jonathan Burkardt’s first-half goal was disallowed.
- Netherlands-Serbia
- The Netherlands won 2-1 through Joshua Zirkzee’s winner and moved top of their group.
- Israel-Ireland
- The teams drew 1-1; Troy Parrott scored for Ireland and Dor Peretz equalised for Israel.
- Wales-Denmark
- Denmark won 1-0 in Cardiff through Rasmus Hojlund’s 75th-minute penalty.
