Denmark thrash Portugal in first match since Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement

Denmark moved to within three points of Portugal at the top of their UEFA Nations League group after a 4-1 victory in Braga.

The match was Portugal’s first since Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement. In tribute to the forward, every Portugal player wore a shirt bearing his famous number seven.

The Portuguese Football Federation had earlier announced that Ronaldo’s number would not be worn by another player and would instead be altered. The new design includes a small horizontal line across the number seven, making the shirt worn by Ronaldo impossible to replicate.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg opened the scoring for Denmark in the 43rd minute from the penalty spot after Rasmus Højlund had been brought down.

Højlund doubled Denmark’s advantage four minutes after the restart, finding the net with his left foot. The forward then struck again in the 57th minute, firing home from the edge of the penalty area to put Denmark 3-0 ahead.

Joachim Andersen completed the visitors’ scoring in the 75th minute with a header.

Portugal managed a consolation goal in the third minute of added time, when Bernardo Silva scored from inside the six-yard box.

The result lifted Denmark to nine points and second place in the group. Portugal remain top on 12 points, despite suffering their first defeat in the match played at Braga in Portugal.

Norway are third on six points after beating bottom side Wales 3-1. Wales have three points.

Portugal will face Wales in their final group match, while Denmark will meet Norway.