The post-Cristiano Ronaldo era began with an immediate collapse, as Portugal vs Denmark ended in a stunning 4-1 rout at the Estadio Municipal. Denmark tore through the Portuguese defence in Braga, turning what was planned as a celebration into an evening of loud home boos.
Portugal had already secured qualification for the next phase, but the heavy loss exposes sudden vulnerability in a squad adjusting to life without their longtime leader. For Danish fans, the victory puts their team on the brink of reaching the knockout stage.
Also read: Portugal vs Denmark: Life After Cristiano Ronaldo Begins
The result leaves manager Jorge Jesus facing immediate questions about his team’s focus and composure without their record goalscorer on the pitch.
Denmark stun Braga in Portugal vs Denmark
Denmark took control from the opening whistle and never let the hosts establish their rhythm. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tucked away a penalty following sustained pressure.
Rasmus Hojlund then took complete command of the match early in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, the Napoli striker lashed a vicious volley into the net to double Denmark’s lead.
Hojlund struck again seven minutes later with a finish reminiscent of Ronaldo himself. He slipped neatly past Ruben Dias at the edge of the penalty box before hammering an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper.
Joachim Andersen added Denmark’s fourth with a clean header, triggering loud whistles from the home crowd. Bernardo Silva pulled one back late in the game, but his goal did nothing to quiet the angry supporters.
How the tribute turned into a nightmare
Everything in Braga had been arranged to honour Ronaldo, who walked away from international duty just last week. Portugal players and mascots entered the pitch wearing number seven shirts with Ronaldo’s name across the back.
Supporters unfurled a massive banner reading “Thank you, captain” across the stands. When the clock struck seven minutes, the entire stadium erupted in coordinated applause.
The good feelings evaporated as the Danish attack repeatedly sliced through the hosts. In Portugal vs Denmark fixtures over the years, the Portuguese attack rarely looked so blunt, and the team badly missed Ronaldo’s presence in the final third.
The bitter split between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus
The sudden Cristiano Ronaldo retirement followed a bitter falling out between the 41-year-old forward and head coach Jorge Jesus. The rift began in September when Jesus left Ronaldo out of a Nations League squad.
That selection dispute spiralled out of control, prompting the Portuguese football federation to issue a 30-day suspension to the national team captain. The veteran forward responded by stepping away from international football entirely.
His departure closed out a record-breaking international career that began in 2003. Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal and finished his international tenure with world records of 146 goals in 234 appearances.
Norway and Denmark battle for the last eight
Despite the humiliation, Portugal remain top of the group on 12 points after winning their first four games. They are already guaranteed a place in the Nations League quarterfinals.
Denmark sit second on nine points and need only a draw on Tuesday to claim their own spot in the last eight. Their path opened up after Norway vs Wales finished 3-1 in Oslo.
Norway dominated that match as Antonio Nusa broke through with a low drive just before the hour mark. Erling Haaland set up Andreas Schjelderup for a simple finish, then Haaland converted an 88th-minute penalty.
David Brooks scored a late chip for Wales, but Craig Bellamy’s side will finish bottom of the group and face relegation to League B. Denmark now face Norway on Tuesday in a decisive showdown for second place.
Source: Al Jazeera
