Denmark punish Portugal on Ronaldo tribute night as Hojlund scores twice

Portugal’s first game since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football ended in a 4-1 home defeat by Denmark in the Nations League, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring twice in Braga.

The result spoiled an emotional evening for Portugal, who had paid tribute to their former captain before kick-off. Players wore shirts bearing Ronaldo’s name and number seven during the national anthem, while supporters displayed a banner reading “Obrigado, capi7ao” “Thank you, captain” alongside images of him lifting the European Championship and Nations League trophies.

Ronaldo announced his international retirement on social media last week after a public falling-out with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.

Portugal remain top of League A Group Four on 12 points, three ahead of Denmark. Norway are third on six points, while Wales are bottom on three. One league-phase round remains, with Wales hosting Portugal and Denmark playing Norway at home on Tuesday.

Portugal controlled much of the opening half in heavy rain but conceded shortly before the interval.

Hojlund initially had a header disallowed after Joachim Andersen was penalised for a foul in the build-up. Denmark were then awarded a penalty after another header struck Ruben Dias’ hand. Following a VAR review and pitchside check, referee awarded the spot-kick, which Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sent into the top-right corner.

Hojlund extended Denmark’s lead five minutes after the restart, getting behind the Portugal defence to meet a cross from the right with a powerful volley.

The striker struck again seven minutes later. He cut inside Renato Veiga during a counter-attack before beating Diogo Costa with a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Andersen added Denmark’s fourth in the 75th minute, heading powerfully into the net from inside the area after Mathias Jensen’s free-kick from the right.

Bernardo Silva scored a consolation for Portugal three minutes into added time, finishing from close range after the goalkeeper had parried the ball.

“Practically everything went wrong for us. It’s actually hard to find an explanation,” Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha told Portuguese broadcaster Sport TV.

“It was an unlucky night for us; we made it far too easy for our opponents. We’ve got a match on Tuesday, so we’ve got until then to reflect about what happened today. But I have no doubt whatsoever that we’ll bounce back and secure top spot in the group in Wales.”

Norway also strengthened their position with a 3-1 victory over Wales in Oslo.

After a quiet first half at Ullevaal Stadion, Antonio Nusa opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a half-volley from the edge of the area after Wales had only partly cleared a corner.

Andreas Schjelderup made it 2-0 two minutes after coming on as a substitute. Nusa surged down the left before finding Erling Haaland, who squared the ball for Schjelderup to tap into an empty net at the far post.

David Brooks pulled one back for Wales in the 79th minute, running on to a through ball and chipping the advancing goalkeeper under pressure from a defender.

But Connor Roberts fouled Schjelderup in the area six minutes later, allowing Haaland to convert the resulting penalty in the 88th minute and confirm Norway’s win.