Portugal maintained their perfect start to Nations League Group A4 with a 4-2 victory against Denmark in Copenhagen, despite Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the squad a day before the match.
The defending champions were playing their first game since Ronaldo abruptly departed on Wednesday, saying he would “tell the truth” about his reported disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus “in due time”.
His absence was barely felt as Joao Cancelo, Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha and Joao Felix secured Portugal’s third win in three matches.
Denmark came close first when Rasmus Hojlund failed to connect with Adam Daghim’s low delivery across goal. Portugal then began to dominate, with Ramos turning Cancelo’s mis-hit cross-shot against the post.
The visitors took the lead only nine seconds later. Cancelo intercepted Daghim’s attempted counter-attack, exchanged passes with Ramos and lifted a clever finish over Denmark goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Rafael Leao, wearing Portugal’s number seven shirt after Ronaldo’s departure, forced Hermansen into another save before Denmark equalised in spectacular fashion.
Mikkel Damsgaard cut in from the left and curled an excellent shot into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 23rd minute.
Portugal restored their advantage two minutes later. Ramos produced a neat backheel for Bruno Fernandes before sprinting beyond the Denmark defence, collecting the captain’s return pass and finishing into the near corner.
Hermansen kept out Ramos and Fernandes either side of half-time, with the first save coming after the goalkeeper had surrendered possession cheaply.
Denmark levelled again eight minutes into the second half when Hojlund ran on to Damsgaard’s defence-splitting pass and lifted the ball over Diogo Costa. The Manchester United forward then celebrated by copying Ronaldo’s trademark “siuuu” celebration.
Portugal responded once more. After Ramos sent an acrobatic effort over the crossbar, Vitinha met Fernandes’ cross and directed a header down and past Hermansen at his near post in the 67th minute.
Joao Felix, who plays alongside Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, completed the scoring three minutes from time by sweeping home a cutback from fellow substitute Diogo Dalot.
Portugal’s attack delivers without Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s departure had dominated the build-up, but Portugal’s performance offered evidence that their attack can function without the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Ronaldo is the leading scorer in men’s international football, with 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. Jesus was firm when asked about the forward’s departure, saying: “It will never be any player that will change my ideas as coach. Never. Not him, not anyone in football.”
The combinations behind Portugal’s opening two goals were both involving Ramos, who led the attack in Ronaldo’s absence. Portugal also recorded 19 shots and an expected goals figure of 2.74, compared with Denmark’s 12 attempts and 0.67 xG.
Hojlund’s celebration gave the hosts a memorable moment at 2-2, but Vitinha’s goal was perhaps the most reminiscent of Ronaldo. Despite being one of the shortest players on the pitch, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder scored his first senior international goal with a precise downward header on his 46th cap.
