Referee with fond memories for Portugal appointed for Norway clash

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani has been appointed by UEFA to take charge of Portugal's UEFA Nations League group-stage encounter against Norway on matchday four. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 7:45 pm at the Estádio do Dragão, where the Seleção could secure qualification.

The 44-year-old official will lead an all-Italian refereeing team. Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni will serve as assistant referees, with Luca Zufferli acting as the fourth official. Marco di Bello will oversee VAR duties, supported by Luca Pairetto as AVAR.

This will be only the second time Mariani has officiated Portugal's senior national team. His only previous outing was on September 8, 2024, at the Estádio da Luz, where Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Scotland thanks to a late Cristiano Ronaldo winner.

In that clash, then-head coach Roberto Martínez initially left CR7 on the bench before bringing him on at half-time for Pedro Neto with the side trailing 1-0. Bruno Fernandes equalised before Ronaldo completed the turnaround in the 88th minute.

However, the Al Nassr forward will not feature at the Estádio do Dragão, having departed the national team camp while still in Denmark following Jorge Jesus' press conference.

Mariani holds an unbeaten record when refereeing Portuguese sides throughout his career: two Benfica games (a draw with Toulouse and a victory over Monaco), one for FC Porto (a win against Antwerp), one for Paços de Ferreira (a victory over Tottenham), and an Under-19 international victory against Scotland.

Portugal have maintained a flawless record under Jorge Jesus, claiming a maximum of nine points from their opening three Nations League group-stage fixtures.