UEFA Nations League
Portugal thrashed by Denmark in Ronaldo's absence
Portugal suffered a humbling defeat in its first match since Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement as it was thrashed 4-1 by Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.… Show More
Portugal suffered a humbling defeat in its first match since Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement as it was thrashed 4-1 by Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
Rasmus Hojlund scored a brace inside seven second-half minutes after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and Joachim Andersen wrapped up the victory with a brilliant header at Estadio Municipal de Braga.
After a strong start from Denmark, which saw Hojlund, Hojbjerg and Mohamed Daramy all squander opportunities, the visitors broke the deadlock two minutes before the break after Ruben Dias blocked a header from Hojlund with his hands, allowing Hojbjerg to fire home from the spot.
Hojlund then doubled Denmark's lead four minutes after the restart, volleying powerfully past a helpless Diogo Costa after a scooped pass from Mikkel Damsgaard, before showing brilliant skill to dribble past Renato Veiga and pick out the bottom-right corner before the hour.
Portugal would fall further behind in the 75th minute, with Andersen sending a bullet header into the top corner after a pinpoint free-kick delivery from substitute Mathias Jensen.
Jorge Jesus' side tried to at least score a consolation, and managed one in the 93rd minute as Bernardo Silva scored on the rebound from close range after Joao Neves's initial effort was kept out by Mads Hermansen.
“Practically everything went wrong for us... It’s actually hard to find an explanation," midfielder Joao Palhinha said after his side's humbling defeat.
"It was an unlucky night for us; we made it far too easy for our opponents.
"We’ve got a match on Tuesday [Wednesday AEDT], so we’ve got until then to reflect about what happened today.
"But I have no doubt whatsoever that we’ll bounce back and secure top spot in the group in Wales.”
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