Portugal’s first game since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football ended in a heavy 4-1 home defeat by Denmark, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring twice in a Nations League quarter-final first-leg-style encounter in Braga.
The result spoiled an evening dedicated to Ronaldo, whose name and number seven appeared on Portugal’s players’ shirts during the national anthem. Supporters also displayed a banner reading “Obrigado, capi7ao” – “Thank you, captain” – alongside images of the forward lifting the European Championship and Nations League trophies.
Ronaldo announced his international retirement on social media last week after a public falling-out with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.
Despite controlling much of the first half in heavy rain, Portugal conceded shortly before the break. Hojlund initially had a header disallowed for a foul by Joachim Andersen, before another Denmark effort struck Ruben Dias’ hand.
After a VAR review and an on-pitch inspection, the referee awarded Denmark a penalty. Captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sent his right-footed effort into the top-right corner to give the visitors the lead.
Denmark extended their advantage five minutes after half-time when Hojlund timed his run behind the defence and met a cross from the right with a powerful volley.
The striker added another seven minutes later. He cut inside Renato Veiga during a counter-attack and beat Diogo Costa with a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Andersen made it 4-0 in the 75th minute, rising inside the box to head in a free-kick delivered from the right by Mathias Jensen.
Portugal scored a consolation three minutes into added time when Bernardo Silva reacted quickest after the goalkeeper had parried the ball, finishing from close range.
“Practically everything went wrong for us. It’s actually hard to find an explanation,” Joao Palhinha told Portuguese broadcaster Sport TV.
“It was an unlucky night for us; we made it far too easy for our opponents. We’ve got a match on Tuesday, 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.”
In the other League A Group Four match, Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo.
Antonio Nusa opened the scoring in the 59th minute at Ullevaal Stadion, striking a half-volley from the edge of the area after Wales had only partially cleared a corner.
Substitute Andreas Schjelderup doubled Norway’s lead two minutes after coming on. Nusa broke down the left before finding Erling Haaland, who squared the ball for Schjelderup to score into an unguarded net at the far post.
Wales reduced the deficit in the 79th minute when David Brooks ran on to a through ball and chipped the advancing goalkeeper under pressure from a defender.
Connor Roberts then fouled Schjelderup in the area six minutes later, allowing Haaland to convert from the spot in the 88th minute.
Portugal remain top of the group on 12 points, three ahead of Denmark. Norway are third on six points, with Wales bottom on three. One league-phase round remains: Wales host Portugal, while Denmark face Norway on Tuesday.
