Portugal's dismal start to European Championship qualifying only got worse Tuesday with a 1-0 loss against Norway after Erik Huseklepp scored the winner in the first half.
Huseklepp's goal came in the 21st minute after Portugal keeper Eduardo lost the ball in a challenge from John Carew, leaving Huseklepp in front of an open goal.
Portugal was weakened by the absence of injured Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Benefica defender Fabio Coentrao. Suspended coach Carlos Queiroz also missed the match.
Portugal only managed a 4-4 draw against Cyprus in its opening game Friday, and struggled to create chances despite a Norway defense missing defender John Arne Riise, who suffered a concussion in practice Monday.
The only real chance for Portugal came in the 60th minute, when Norway keeper Jon Knudsen bobbled a shot from Manuel Fernandes. Hugo Almeida caught the rebound and drilled the ball into an empty net but was called offside.
Queiroz's assistant, Agostinho Oliveira, who is temporarily in charge of Portugal, blamed the early goal for his team's loss.
''In the end, we failed because the goal came in the beginning and we lost a bit of calm in that period,'' he said.
Queiroz was suspended for six months after an inquiry found he had insulted an anti-doping team sent to test the Portugal squad ahead of the World Cup.
Norway coach Egil Olsen, meanwhile, praised his team's defensive prowess and general improvement since its disappointing failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
''We were steadier defensively, and we've made strides in the midfield and on set pieces,'' he said.
Carew said he moved to challenge Eduardo, setting up Huseklepp's goal, after seeing the keeper's poor performance in past matches.
''He let in four goals last time (against Cyprus), so I thought I'd go after him,'' the Aston Villa striker said.
Norway, which won its first qualifying match last week 2-1 over Iceland, is first in Group H with six points. Group favorite Portugal is in fourth with one point.
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Lineups:
Norway: Jon Knudsen, Tom Hogli, Kjetil Waehler (Vadim Demidov, 28), Brede Hangeland, Bjorn Helge Riise, Henning Hauger, John Carew (Mohammed Abdellaoue, 38), Morten Gamst Pedersen, Espen Ruud, Christian Grindheim (Ruben Yttergard Jenssen, 86), Erik Huseklepp.
Portugal: Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Silvio, Ricardo Carvalo, Ricardo Quaresma (Liedson, 83), Miguel Veloso, Manuel Fernandes, Raul Meireles, Nani, Hugo Almeida, Tiago (Danny, 72).
