Portugal thrash Denmark as Jorge Jesus wins first battle with Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal moved to the top of their Nations League group with a 4-2 victory over Denmark, securing a third consecutive win in Group D.

Joao Cancelo, Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha and Joao Felix scored for Portugal, while Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund replied for Denmark.

The result leaves Portugal on nine points from three matches, with a perfect record so far in the competition.

It was Portugal’s first match without Cristiano Ronaldo after he left the national-team camp on Wednesday, following comments made by manager Jorge Jesus at a news conference.

Rafael Leao wore the number seven shirt after Ronaldo’s departure, while Bruno Fernandes was named captain. Jesus selected an attacking line-up led by Ramos, with Leao and Pedro Neto also included.

Portugal took the lead after 13 minutes. Cancelo exchanged passes with Ramos before beating a Denmark defender with an individual run and finding the net.

Denmark levelled in the 23rd minute when Damsgaard curled a shot beyond the Portugal goalkeeper.

Portugal restored their advantage two minutes later. Fernandes played a precise pass through to Ramos, who ran clear of the Denmark defence before finishing past the goalkeeper.

Hojlund brought Denmark level again in the 53rd minute after going one-on-one with the Portugal goalkeeper. He celebrated the goal with Ronaldo’s trademark celebration in front of the Portugal team.

Vitinha put Portugal back in front in the 67th minute, heading home a cross from Fernandes for his first international goal in his 46th appearance for the national side.

Felix completed the scoring in the 87th minute after Diogo Dalot supplied the final pass across the face of goal.

The victory marked Portugal’s first occasion since 6 September 2008 that they had scored four goals away from home in a competitive match without Ronaldo. They also scored four against Malta on that date.

Ramos now has 12 of his 13 Portugal goals in matches in which Ronaldo has not been on the pitch. The forward also reached 100 goals across his club and international career.

The result gave Jesus victory in his first contest with Ronaldo as Portugal begin their attempt to build a new generation without their long-time captain.