Denmark Thrash Portugal 4-1: Hojlund Scores Twice in Portugal's First Match Since Ronaldo's International Retirement
Portugal's first match since Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement ended in a crushing 4-1 home defeat by Denmark in the Nations League in Braga on November 14, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring twice as a night of tributes turned sour for Jorge Jesus and his players.
Before kickoff, Portugal's players wore shirts bearing Ronaldo's name and number seven during the national anthem, and supporters unfurled a banner reading "Obrigado, capi7ão" ("Thank you, captain") alongside images of him lifting the European Championship and Nations League trophies. Ronaldo announced his international retirement on social media last week following a public falling-out with manager Jesus.
Portugal dominated much of the first half in pouring rain but fell behind shortly before halftime. After a Hojlund header was ruled out for a foul and another header struck Rúben Dias's hand, a VAR review produced a penalty that Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg drove into the top-right corner. Hojlund doubled the lead five minutes after the interval with a powerful volley, scored again seven minutes later on a counter-attack, and Joachim Andersen headed in a free kick in the 75th minute to make it 4-0. Bernardo Silva scored a consolation goal three minutes into added time.
In the group's other match, Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo, with Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup scoring before Erling Haaland's late penalty sealed victory after David Brooks had pulled one back for Wales.
Portugal remain top on 12 points, three ahead of Denmark, with Norway third on six and Wales bottom on three. One round of league-phase matches remains, with Wales hosting Portugal and Denmark at home to Norway on Tuesday.
(Source: Reuters)
Source: Reuters
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：葡萄牙 Braga 市政球场（资料图），本场欧洲国家联赛在此举行。Donald Judge 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Estádio Municipal de Braga in Portugal (file photo), venue of this Nations League match. By Donald Judge, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
