Portugal suffer record home defeat as Denmark spoil start of new era

Portugal’s first match following Cristiano Ronaldo’s announcement of his international retirement ended in a 4-1 defeat by Denmark in Braga in the fifth round of the Nations League group stage.

The hosts struggled to impose themselves from the start, with Denmark taking control through goals from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Rasmus Højlund and Joachim Andersen. Bernardo Silva scored Portugal’s only goal in the third minute of added time.

The result leaves Portugal top of Group Four on 12 points, while Denmark move into second place with nine.

Portugal began cautiously and failed to build attacks with any fluency. Bruno Fernandes operated on the left, while Joao Felix played behind Goncalo Ramos, but Jorge Jesus’ side struggled to retain possession or move the ball effectively out of their own half.

Long-range efforts from Vitinha and Pedro Neto failed to trouble Denmark goalkeeper Mads Hermansen before Portugal gradually improved and began to spend more time in the visitors’ half.

Denmark had a goal ruled out for offside in the 38th minute after Mikkel Damsgaard had found the net at the end of the move. Moments later, Portugal defender Ruben Dias conceded a penalty after handling a header from Højlund.

Diogo Costa guessed correctly but could not keep out Højbjerg’s powerful, rising strike, which put Denmark ahead shortly before half-time.

Dias was booked immediately after the restart, ruling him out of Portugal’s final match against Wales.

Denmark doubled their lead in the 50th minute. Damsgaard received the ball inside the penalty area, turned and sent a cross towards the far post, where Højlund met it first time. Costa had no chance of stopping the finish.

Portugal attempted to respond when Ruben Neves forced Hermansen into a difficult save with a fierce shot. Neto then lifted the rebound over the crossbar.

But Denmark extended their advantage seven minutes later. Højlund collected the ball in the attacking third, evaded Renato Veiga and curled a right-footed effort into the far corner. Dias had played him on by remaining behind the rest of Portugal’s defensive line.

Jorge Jesus responded by making three substitutions at once, bringing on Joao Palhinha, Trincao and Carlos Forbs. Trincao sent his first attempt over the bar after receiving a pass from Vitinha. Forbs wore the number seven shirt, which he had also used a year earlier in a World Cup qualifying match against Armenia.

Any prospect of a Portugal comeback disappeared 15 minutes before the final whistle when Andersen headed Denmark’s fourth goal from a free-kick delivered by Morten Hjulmand.

Portugal pulled one back in stoppage time. Forbs beat his marker on the right before Hermansen saved Joao Neves’ shot from inside the area, but Bernardo Silva followed up to score from the rebound.