BRAGA (The Thursday Times) — Rasmus Hojlund scored twice as Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in the Nations League in Braga on Saturday, a heavy home defeat for the hosts in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football.
Before kick-off, Portugal’s players and the mascots walked out wearing Ronaldo’s No. 7 and his name on their shirts. Fans held up a banner that read “Thank you, captain”, and the stadium applauded when the clock reached the seventh minute.
Denmark were the better side from the start and went ahead two minutes before half-time. Hojlund’s header struck the arm of Ruben Dias, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the penalty after a VAR review.
Hojlund doubled the lead four minutes after the restart, volleying in Mikkel Damsgaard’s pass at the back post. Before the hour he added a third, beating his marker on the edge of the area and driving a low shot past Diogo Costa.
Joachim Andersen headed in the fourth from substitute Mathias Jensen’s cross in the 75th minute as boos rang around the Estadio Municipal. Bernardo Silva scored from close range in stoppage time after Mads Hermansen saved from Joao Neves, with the last kick of the game.
Denmark need a draw
The win lifts Denmark to nine points from five games, second in Group A4 and three points behind Portugal, who had already secured a quarter-final place by winning their first four group matches. A draw at home to Norway on Tuesday will take Denmark through. Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo earlier on Saturday.
Portugal had 15 shots but created little, according to match statistics, and Goncalo Ramos, who led the attack, did not manage a shot of his own.
Ronaldo announced his retirement this month after a falling-out with coach Jorge Jesus, ending a 23-year international career in which he set men’s world records with 146 goals and 234 caps. Portugal finish their group against Wales.
