Portugal lose 4-1 to Denmark in first match without Ronaldo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Seneweb and Vanguard
Portugal had a very difficult evening at home in their first match without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been removed from the squad, according to Seneweb. They lost 4-1 to Denmark in the Nations League in Braga, before a crowd that whistled at their players.
Denmark took the lead early on and led at half-time thanks to a penalty by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the 43rd minute. Four minutes after the restart, Rasmus Hojlund converted a superb volley, then, seven minutes later, he struck powerfully from the edge of the box after dispossessing Ruben Dias. Joachim Andersen added the fourth goal, and Bernardo Silva pulled one back late on, without easing the anger in the stands.
Denmark have nine points after five matches, three fewer than Portugal, who have already secured qualification for the quarter-finals after four wins in Group A4. A draw on Tuesday against Norway, third in the group and winners over Wales 3-1 earlier, will be enough for the Danes to qualify. Wales, last in the group, risk relegation to League B.
Before kick-off, Portugal paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo: players and mascots walked onto the pitch with the number 7 and the captain’s name on their shirts, and the stands applauded in the seventh minute. Aged 41, Ronaldo, who made his international debut in 2003, scored 146 goals in 234 matches and won Euro 2016. His international career ended in a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus, after he was left out of a Nations League match in September. The Portuguese federation handed him a 30-day suspension, before his retirement announcement.
