Portugal suffered a heavy defeat in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement, as former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund netted twice to help Denmark secure an excellent victory.
Ronaldo, 41, scored 146 goals and made 234 appearances for his country, both world records after debuting in 2003 and was named the world’s best player with the Ballon d’Or on five occasions.
However, he announced his retirement from international football in a video posted on social media last week, even though coach Jorge Jesus later stated that Ronaldo would have been selected for the UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.
The iconic forward left the Portugal camp in September after being informed he would not start the first match against Denmark, which led to a £215 fine and a 30-day suspension.
Saturday’s match was played in Braga, where the Portuguese fans and players paid tribute to Ronaldo.
All the players and mascots walked out wearing a ‘Ronaldo 7’ shirt, while the fans displayed the word ‘Ronaldo’ in the upper tier of one stand and the letters ‘GOAT’ (Greatest Of All Time) in the lower tier.
A banner reading ‘thank you, captain’ was also on display, and a similar message appeared on the scoreboard in the seventh minute.
Yet the celebratory atmosphere quickly faded as Denmark eased to a convincing win.
Former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a penalty just before half-time to give the visitors the lead after a handball was given against Ruben Dias.
Hojlund, who now plays in Italy for Napoli, then struck twice within an eight-minute spell early in the second half, before Fulham defender Joachim Andersen headed in a fourth to make it 4-0 after 75 minutes.
Former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, now with Real Madrid, pulled one back for Portugal in the third minute of added time with a close-range finish after Joao Neves had been denied.
Portugal had won their first four Nations League matches to book their place in the quarter-finals and must avoid defeat against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday, 17 November, to advance as group winners.
Denmark hosts Norway on Tuesday, sitting second with a three-point advantage.
