Portugal beat Norway 2-1. Sunday evening, in Porto. After going behind. They are in the quarter-finals of this Nations League, a competition I still haven’t understood the point of. But I’m not criticising. I’m comparing.
I read the report on Monday, at the friterie (the Belgian chip stand), in my weekly paper. Norway opened the scoring through Kristoffer Ajer, in the 36th minute, from a long-range free kick by Martin Odegaard. João Cancelo equalised in the 38th, from a long throw by Nuno Mendes. Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner in the 79th. Vitinha, João Félix, Ramos. Three names for one goal. In my day, it took one, and he was often the centre-forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent. He already was on Thursday against Denmark. Portugal won both times. Twelve points from four games.
Jorge Jesus said he would be called up for the next window. And that he could come back whenever he wanted. “It’s up to him to decide,” he said, according to 20 Minutes.
That is what leaves me thoughtful. In 1980, the coach decided. He read his list on the radio. If your name wasn’t on it, you found out with everybody else, while eating. Nobody left the door open for you. We didn’t talk about doors.
Note that I respect the numbers. 234 caps. 146 goals. Top scorer and most capped player in Portugal’s history. Those are numbers from the old world, the kind you wrote in pencil in the margin.
Silly question, Marcel, but did they have international windows in 1980?
There were windows. We opened them to hear the stadium. I said nothing more.
Portugal win without him and he keeps his place. Both at once. Next list, next window. Well. It’s the times.
It’s true, we checked: 20 Minutes.
