Portugal suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Denmark at the Estádio Municipal de Braga on Saturday in the UEFA Nations League.
The match marked the Seleção’s first fixture since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement last week following a rift with manager Jorge Jesus, ending a 23-year career that produced 234 caps and 146 goals, punchng.com reported.
Fans displayed banners thanking their former captain while players wore number-seven shirts during the national anthem.
Denmark seized control in the rain-soaked fixture just before halftime. Following a VAR review for a Rúben Dias handball, Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg converted a 43rd-minute penalty into the top corner.
Denmark pressed their advantage after the interval through striker Rasmus Højlund. He doubled the lead in the 50th minute with a powerful volley from a right-wing cross.
Højlund added a third goal seven minutes later on a counter-attack from the edge of the box. Mathias Jensen supplied the free kick that allowed Joachim Andersen to complete the rout with a towering header in the 75th minute.
Bernardo Silva netted a late consolation goal for Portugal in stoppage time.
Manager Jorge Jesus opted for a restructured lineup featuring newcomer Alberto Costa at right-back, Rúben Neves alongside Vitinha in the middle, and Gonçalo Ramos leading the attack, with support from João Félix, Bruno Fernandes, and Pedro Neto, according to punchng.com.
In the other League A Group Four fixture, Norway defeated Wales 3-1 in Oslo. The breakthrough came in the 59th minute via Antonio Nusa before Andreas Schjelderup entered off the bench to quickly tap in their second goal. David Brooks pulled one back for Wales in the 79th minute before Erling Haaland secured Norway’s victory with an 88th-minute penalty.
Despite the loss, Portugal remain top of Group Four with 12 points, holding a three-point lead over Denmark ahead of Tuesday’s final group matches. Norway sit third on six points, while Wales occupy the bottom spot with three points. Portugal require a result against Wales on Tuesday to secure first place in the group.
Keep reading