Portugal Thrashed 4-1 by Denmark in First Match Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s International Retirement
Portugal suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Denmark in Braga on Saturday in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football, a result that turned a night of tributes to their greatest ever player into the heaviest home loss in the country’s competitive history.
Denmark were the better side from the first minute at the Estadio Municipal, and Rasmus Hojlund’s second-half brace sealed a famous win that moved the Danes into second place in Nations League Group A4 and within a point of the quarter-finals.
Denmark punish Portugal on a night of tributes
Before kick-off, Portugal paid an extensive tribute to Ronaldo, who announced his retirement from international football on November 5. The players and mascots walked out wearing shirts bearing Ronaldo’s name and his number seven, supporters unfurled a banner reading “Obrigado, Capi7ao” — thank you, captain — and the stadium applauded in the seventh minute as images of the 41-year-old filled the big screen.
The football, however, told a different story. Denmark took the lead in the 43rd minute when captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Ruben Dias. Hojlund then lashed home a brilliant volley four minutes after the restart, and seven minutes later he skipped past Dias before crashing in a powerful shot from the edge of the area to make it 3-0. The Napoli striker celebrated his second goal with Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuuu” celebration.
Boos and whistles rang out around the Estadio Municipal when Joachim Andersen headed in Denmark’s fourth goal in the 75th minute. Bernardo Silva’s late consolation in stoppage time barely dampened the discontent among the home supporters.
“There are no nights to forget; it was a night of learning, of seeing the mistakes we made,” Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes said after the match. “Denmark were also very clinical — they scored from the chances they had and it was a match where things ultimately went wrong for us.”
Denmark coach Morten Hjulmand praised his side’s display. “Every single Denmark player put in their best performance I’ve seen in a long time. Even the substitutes, which made for a fantastic overall display,” he said. “We scored some great goals and we deserved to win.”
The end of the Ronaldo era
Ronaldo’s international career ended badly. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner fell out with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus after not being selected for a Nations League fixture in September, a row that led to the Portuguese football federation handing him a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 euros. He announced his retirement shortly afterwards.
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and went on to establish world records for goals and appearances in international football, netting 146 times in 234 matches. The highlight of his international career was winning Euro 2016, and he also lifted the Nations League twice. He won three Premier League titles with Manchester United, and he is currently taking time off before returning to club duty with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
The Portuguese Football Federation has redesigned the number seven shirt worn by the national team, adding a small horizontal stroke to the digit, while the old version of the number is now reserved strictly for Ronaldo. UEFA rules require squad numbers between 1 and 23, so the shirt itself could not be retired.
Jesus, asked after the defeat whether his team had missed Ronaldo, refused to treat the absence as an excuse. “Missing what? He’s no longer on the national team, so what’s missing?” he said. “The only thing missing is his presence here to keep me company.”
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What the result means for Group A4
The defeat was Portugal’s heaviest ever at home in a competitive match, and it ended a 14-game unbeaten run in competitive internationals. It was also the first defeat of Jesus’s reign, which began after he took charge of the national team.
Portugal remain top of Group A4 on 12 points, three clear of Denmark, and had already secured qualification for the quarter-finals after winning their first four group fixtures. A draw against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday will be enough to secure first place. Denmark, on nine points, need only a draw against Norway on Tuesday to join them in the last eight.
Norway beat Wales 3-1 earlier on Saturday in Oslo. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring just before the hour, Andreas Schjelderup tapped home a cross from Erling Haaland, and Haaland rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes from time. David Brooks briefly gave Wales hope with a chipped finish in the 79th minute, but Craig Bellamy’s team will finish bottom of the group and risk relegation to League B.
Why this matters
For Portugal, the scale of the defeat raises immediate questions about life after Ronaldo. The team had won all four of their previous group fixtures and arrived in Braga already through to the quarter-finals, but the manner of the loss — outplayed at home on a night built around honouring their former captain — will fuel debate about whether the squad can replace the most prolific scorer in the history of international football.
For Denmark, the win is a statement. The Danes arrived in Braga as underdogs against a side that had not lost a competitive match in 14 games, and they leave with their quarter-final fate in their own hands. Hojlund’s brace, capped by a celebration borrowed from the man Portugal were honouring, will be remembered as one of the finest individual performances of this Nations League campaign.
Latest developments
Portugal next face Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday, where a draw secures first place in Group A4. Denmark host Norway the same night, needing only a point to reach the quarter-finals. Ronaldo, who did not attend Saturday’s game, is expected to return to action with Al-Nassr on November 20, when the Saudi club face Al-Ahli away in the Saudi Pro League.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Portugal lose 4-1 to Denmark?
Denmark were the better team from the start. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored a first-half penalty, Rasmus Hojlund struck twice early in the second half, and Joachim Andersen added a fourth before Bernardo Silva’s late consolation. Portugal, playing their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement, were outplayed at home in Braga.
When did Cristiano Ronaldo retire from international football?
Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on November 5, 2026, after a public fallout with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus and a 30-day suspension from the Portuguese football federation. He finished his international career with 146 goals in 234 appearances, both world records.
What is Portugal’s heaviest home defeat in a competitive match?
The 4-1 loss to Denmark on November 14, 2026, is Portugal’s heaviest ever home defeat in a competitive international, according to reports from the match. It also ended a 14-game unbeaten run in competitive internationals.
What does the result mean for the Nations League group?
Portugal remain top of Group A4 on 12 points and have already qualified for the quarter-finals. A draw against Wales on Tuesday secures first place. Denmark are second on nine points and need only a draw against Norway on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals as well.
Portugal’s first match without their greatest ever player ended in a night to forget. The tributes were fitting; the football was not. Whether Saturday proves to be a painful one-off or the first sign of a difficult post-Ronaldo era will become clearer on Tuesday in Cardiff — and in the quarter-finals beyond.
Sources: theScore, Sportskeeda, LiveScore, Particle
