Sport · Football

Portugal Lose 4-1 to Denmark in First Game Without Ronaldo

Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in Braga on November 14, 2026, spoiling a tribute night for Cristiano Ronaldo. Rasmus Højlund scored twice. Rúben Dias conceded a penalty and will miss the group finale against Wales.

By Elena Vance

November 15, 20262 min read

Portugal Lose 4-1 to Denmark in First Game Without Ronaldo

Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga on Saturday, November 14, 2026, in the first Portugal match since Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement. Rasmus Højlund scored twice in a Nations League game that spoiled a night built around a farewell to the forward after 23 years of service.

Portugal had already secured their place in the quarterfinals. Their loss still cut the lead in Group A4: Portugal finished the night on 12 points, Denmark on nine.

A new-look lineup

Coach Jorge Jesus handed a debut to Alberto Costa at right-back. Vitinha and Rúben Neves formed the double pivot in midfield, with Gonçalo Ramos as the lone striker. Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes and João Félix played behind him.

Every Portugal player walked out in a shirt bearing Ronaldo's number 7. In the seventh minute, the crowd rose for a standing ovation while the video screens showed a message thanking the captain.

The team then started cold. Portugal struggled to hold the ball and build from their own half, and only two long shots from Vitinha and Neto, neither troubling goalkeeper Hermansen, got them moving.

Denmark take control

Denmark had a goal ruled out for offside in the 38th minute. Moments later Rúben Dias blocked a Højlund header with his hand, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored the penalty in the 43rd minute. Diogo Costa went the right way but could not stop it.

Dias was booked just after halftime and will miss the final group game against Wales.

Højlund made it 2-0 in the 49th minute, finishing a Damsgaard cross at the far post. He added a second early in the second half, beating Renato Veiga and driving a right-footed shot into the far corner.

Jesus responded with a triple substitution, bringing on Palhinha, Trincão and Carlos Forbs, who took over the number 7 shirt. Denmark's fourth came in the 75th minute, when Joachim Andersen headed in a free kick from Hjulmand.

Bernardo Silva pulled one back in stoppage time, tucking in the rebound after Hermansen saved a João Neves shot.

Portugal had won four straight Nations League games since their World Cup exit against Spain in July. They need a draw against Wales to finish top of the group.