The key facts

  • Denmark beat Portugal 4:1 away and moved into second place in Group A4
  • Højlund scored twice, Højbjerg from the penalty spot, Andersen with a header
  • Portugal remained first with 12 points and have already secured a quarter-final spot

Denmark end Portugal's winning streak

On 14 November, Denmark's national team inflicted Portugal's first defeat in the current UEFA Nations League campaign, winning 4:1 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. It was Portugal's first match after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from international football, and the hosts, who had previously won four matches in a row, suffered a heavy defeat.

Course of the match

Denmark's captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg opened the scoring in the 43rd minute: the penalty was awarded after a VAR review that spotted a handball by defender Rúben Dias in his own box. Højbjerg struck into the top left corner, leaving goalkeeper Diogo Costa with no chance. In the 49th minute, Mikkel Damsgaard crossed to the far post, where Rasmus Højlund fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to make it 2:0. In the 57th minute, Højlund completed his brace, receiving a pass from Højbjerg, rounding Renato Veiga and hitting the far corner — 3:0. In the 75th minute, Joachim Andersen headed in a free-kick delivery from Mathias Jensen — 4:0. Portugal scored a consolation goal in the third minute of added time: substitute Bernardo Silva tapped the ball into the net after Mads Hermansen saved a shot from João Neves.

A symbolic detail: the number 7 without Ronaldo

In the 64th minute, Carlos Forbs replaced João Félix and became the first player to come on wearing Portugal's updated number 7, which the team introduced in honour of Ronaldo after his departure from the national team. Forbs is a winger for Club Brugge.

Standings and other results

Despite the defeat, Portugal kept first place in Group A4 with 12 points and have already secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Denmark moved up to second place with nine points, three ahead of Norway. In the final round, on Tuesday, Portugal will play away against Wales, while Denmark will host Norway. Other results of the matchday: Norway — Wales 3:1, Georgia — Hungary 0:2, Northern Ireland — Ukraine 1:0, Kosovo — Israel 0:0, Austria — Ireland 1:0, Romania — Poland 2:1, Sweden — Bosnia and Herzegovina 3:2.