Ronaldo-less Portugal hammered 4-1 by Denmark in Nations League

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BRAGA: Portugal were hammered 4-1 by Denmark in the Nations League on Saturday, an embarrassing defeat in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired ...

BRAGA: Portugal were hammered 4-1 by Denmark in the Nations League on Saturday, an embarrassing defeat in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football.

Rasmus Hojlund scored a superb double as Denmark moved into second place in Group A4 and closed in on a quarterfinal spot with a brilliant display in Braga.

The Danes have nine points from five matches, three behind Portugal, who had already secured a place in the last eight after winning all four of their previous group games.

A draw against third-placed Norway, who beat Wales 3-1 earlier, on Tuesday will see Denmark through.

“There are no nights to forget; it was a night of learning, of seeing the mistakes we made,” said Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes. “Denmark were also very clinical — they scored from the chances they had and it was a match where things ultimately went wrong for us.”

Before kick-off, Portugal paid tribute to Ronaldo, who announced his international retirement last week, with the players and mascots walking out wearing his name and number seven on their shirts. Fans held up a huge banner reading “Thank you captain”, and applause rolled around the stadium when the match clock reached seven minutes.

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and went on to set world records for international goals and appearances, scoring 146 times in 234 matches.

The highlight of his international career was winning Euro 2016, but it ended badly when the 41-year-old fell out with coach Jorge Jesus over not being selected for a Nations League match in September. The row led to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner being handed a 30-day suspension by the Portuguese football federation, followed by his retirement.

Denmark were the better side from the first minute and led at the break through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s 43rd-minute penalty.

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