On a Saturday evening in Braga, a Portugal side that had long since secured its place in the quarterfinals met Denmark in the Nations League and was beaten 4-1, its first match since Cristiano Ronaldo stepped away from the national team. The farewell that had been prepared, with the shirts, the banner and the applause that rolled across the stadium, sat uneasily beside a defeat that felt more like a question than a conclusion. A long career built on records and one European title was ending in a quarrel rather than a celebration, and the night made that gap visible. Meanwhile the group is tigh
Hojlund Brace Leads Denmark to 4-1 Rout of Ronaldo-less Portugal in Nations League
A farewell tribute, followed by a 4-1 defeat and boos
Mark
Portugal had already qualified. Why does this loss matter?
Mimi
Mostly for what it says about the first night after Ronaldo. The tributes were warm, the banner, the number seven, the applause, and then the team was beaten four goals to one and booed.
Luke
Careful, though. One match doesn't show how Portugal will do without him. Qualification was already secured, and the report doesn't say what lineup or intensity they had.
Mark
Fair. And Denmark's side of it?
Mimi
Hojlund's two goals, a volley and a run past Ruben Dias into a long shot, did the most damage. Hojbjerg's penalty and Andersen's header completed it.
Luke
Worth noting the report says Denmark were better from the first minute, but that's the writer's assessment. We have the scoreline and the goals, not match statistics.
Mark
What about Ronaldo's departure itself?
Mimi
It followed a row with coach Jorge Jesus over his non-selection in September, then a 30-day suspension from the federation, then retirement.
Luke
And the report says Portugal looked like they needed prime Ronaldo. That's opinion. He's 41, and we don't know how he'd have played.
Mark
What's next?
Mimi
Denmark need a draw against Norway on Tuesday. Wales are bottom and risk relegation to League B.
O Pulso
- Portugal's first game without Ronaldo ends in a heavy 4-1 defeat to Denmark, and the home crowd's applause turns to boos.
- Rasmus Hojlund scores twice, including a powerful strike that leaves the Braga stadium stunned.
- Portugal are already in the quarterfinals, so the loss carries little at stake, but it exposes a team that looks unsettled without its captain.
- Denmark, nine points from five games, now stand close to the last eight and need only a draw against Norway on Tuesday.
- Wales, bottom of the group after losing 3-1 to Norway, face the threat of relegation to League B under Craig Bellamy.
On a Saturday evening in Braga, a Portugal side that had long since secured its place in the quarterfinals met Denmark in the Nations League and was beaten 4-1, its first match since Cristiano Ronaldo stepped away from the national team. The farewell that had been prepared, with the shirts, the banner and the applause that rolled across the stadium, sat uneasily beside a defeat that felt more like a question than a conclusion. A long career built on records and one European title was ending in a quarrel rather than a celebration, and the night made that gap visible. Meanwhile the group is tightening toward its final round, with Denmark needing only a draw against Norway to move on.
The Estadio Municipal in Braga greeted Portugal's first match since Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement with a tribute. Players and mascots walked out wearing the number seven and his name, fans unfurled a banner reading "Thank you, captain," and applause rolled through the stands once the clock reached seven minutes. It was a farewell staged for a man who had recently announced he was leaving international football.
The evening that followed was far less gentle. Portugal had already secured a quarterfinal place, so the stakes were modest for them, but Denmark played with purpose from the first minute. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a penalty just before half-time, and then Rasmus Hojlund took over, striking a volley early in the second half and then a thunderous shot from the edge of the area that drew comparisons with the goals Ronaldo himself once scored. Joachim Andersen added a fourth, and the crowd's applause gave way to whistles. Bernardo Silva's late goal offered little comfort.
The night carried the weight of how Ronaldo's international story had ended. After a falling-out with coach Jorge Jesus over a September selection, the federation handed him a suspension and he soon retired, leaving behind 146 goals in 234 matches and the memory of Euro 2016. On Saturday, Portugal looked like a team that could have used the player he once was.
Elsewhere, Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo, with Haaland among the scorers, leaving Wales at the foot of the group and at risk of dropping to League B. That result sets up Tuesday's decisive meeting, where a draw will be enough for Denmark to reach the quarterfinals.
Before kickoff in Braga on Saturday, the Portugal players and the mascots walked onto the pitch in shirts bearing the number seven and Cristiano Ronaldo's name. Fans unfurled a huge banner reading "Thank you, captain." Once the match clock reached seven minutes, applause rolled around the Estadio Municipal. It was Portugal's first game since Ronaldo announced, a week earlier, that he was leaving international football.
What followed was a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in the Nations League, and it was a heavy one. Portugal had already booked their place in the quarterfinals after winning all four of their earlier group matches, so little was riding on the result for them. For Denmark, second in the group, it moved them to nine points from five games, three behind Portugal and close to the last eight.
The Danes were the better side from the opening minute. The first goal came late in the half, when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to send the visitors in ahead at the break.
Then Rasmus Hojlund took over. Four minutes after the restart he lashed home a volley. Seven minutes after that, the Napoli striker went past Ruben Dias and drove a powerful shot into the net from the edge of the area, a goal of the kind Ronaldo himself might have scored, and one that left the home crowd stunned. Joachim Andersen headed in the fourth, and boos and whistles began to ring around the stadium. Bernardo Silva scored a late consolation, but it did little to ease the mood.
The backdrop made the evening more pointed. Ronaldo, now 41, made his Portugal debut in 2003 and set world records for goals and appearances in international football, scoring 146 times in 234 matches. The high point was winning Euro 2016. His exit, though, was not the farewell the occasion on Saturday suggested. He fell out with coach Jorge Jesus after not being selected for a Nations League fixture in September. The Portuguese football federation responded with a 30-day suspension, and he retired soon afterward. On Saturday, in a dismal performance, Portugal looked like a side that could have used the Ronaldo of his prime.
Elsewhere in the group, the picture was shaped by Norway's 3-1 win over Wales in Oslo. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring just before the hour with a fine low strike. Andreas Schjelderup then tapped in a low cross from Erling Haaland, and Haaland finished the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes from time. David Brooks gave Wales brief hope in the 79th minute with a chipped finish that halved the deficit, but it was not enough.
That result leaves Norway third, and it sets up Tuesday's meeting with Denmark. A draw there is enough to send the Danes through to the quarterfinals. Wales, under Craig Bellamy, will finish bottom of the group and face the risk of relegation to League B.
Citações Notáveis
Thank you, captain.— Banner held up by Portugal fans before kickoff
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