Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in Braga on Saturday, handing the hosts a heavy defeat in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football.
Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute, after a video review ruled that Rúben Dias had handled the ball. Rasmus Højlund then scored twice in seven minutes after the break, finishing a Mikkel Damsgaard cross in the 50th minute and adding a second in the 57th. Joachim Andersen headed in Denmark’s fourth from a set piece in the 75th minute, before Bernardo Silva scored a late consolation for Portugal in stoppage time.
The result came in Portugal’s first game since Ronaldo, 41, announced his retirement from international football on 5 November, ending a 23-year career in which he scored a record 146 goals in 234 appearances for his country.
Portugal had already secured a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, and they stay top of their group despite the defeat. They had beaten Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen in October. Denmark, who move to nine points, host Norway in their final group game on Tuesday, when Portugal travel to Wales.
For Denmark, the win was revenge of a sort — and a statement. Højlund’s two goals took his tally to five in the Nations League group stage.
