Rasmus Hojlund delivers brace as Denmark edges closer to Nations League quarterfinals with dominant display in Braga.
Published On 14 Nov 2026
Portugal suffered a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in their first Nations League outing following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international duty, marking a disappointing start without the legendary forward.
Rasmus Hojlund delivered a stellar performance, netting a brace to guide Denmark to a commanding display in Braga, edging closer to quarterfinal qualification.
Denmark sit on nine points from five matches, three adrift of Portugal, who had already secured quarterfinal progression following four consecutive group-stage victories.
A draw against Norway on Tuesday, following Wales’ 3-1 defeat earlier, would guarantee Denmark’s passage to the quarterfinals.
Prior to kickoff, Portugal honored Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently announced his international retirement, with players and mascots donning his iconic number seven and name on their jerseys.
Supporters unfurled a massive ‘Thank you, captain’ banner as the teams took the field, and the stadium erupted in applause when the match clock reached seven minutes.
Ronaldo debuted for Portugal in 2003 and rewrote the record books, amassing 146 goals in 234 international appearances.
The pinnacle of his international career came with Euro 2016 glory, but things soured when the 41-year-old fell out with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus after being omitted from a September Nations League fixture.
The dispute resulted in a 30-day suspension and subsequent retirement from international football, leaving Portugal to struggle without their talisman, who appeared sorely missed in a dismal showing.
Denmark dominated from the outset, and it came as no surprise when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a spot-kick in the 43rd minute to put the visitors ahead at halftime.
Hojlund unleashed a brilliant volley four minutes after the restart, and seven minutes later left the home shell-shocked with a strike the Napoli forward would have admired, skipping past Ruben Dias before crushing a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Boos and whistles rang out at Estadio Municipal when Joachim Andersen headed Portugal’s fourth, and Bernardo Silva’s late consolation effort did little to stem the discontent.
Earlier on Saturday, Antonio Nusa opened the scoring for Norway just before the hour mark in Oslo with a fine low strike, before Andreas Schjelderup tapped home a perfect low cross from Erling Haaland, who sealed the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes from time.
Wales briefly entertained hopes of a result when David Brooks halved the deficit with a chipped finish in the 79th minute, but Craig Bellamy’s side finished bottom of the group and faces relegation to League B.