Portugal suffer heaviest home defeat in first match without Ronaldo

Portugal was thrashed at home 4-1 by Denmark in their UEFA Nations League match on Saturday night.

The 2025 winners suffered the shock defeat in their first match since captain Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement.

Rasmus Hojlund’s brace dimmed the lights at the Estadio Municipal do Braga on a night the players and fans paid tribute to their captain who announced his retirement following breakdown of relations national team coach Jorge Jesus.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joachim Andersen were also on the scoresheet.

Goncalo Ramos started upfront for Portugal who bossed possession but failed to breakdown the visitors’ low block.

The Danes then caught their hosts on the counter, and took the lead on 43 minutes via Hojbjerg’s penalty.

They doubled the lead four minutes after the interval through Hojlund’s volley from a looping cross, before the former Manchester United striker made it 3-0 with a low curling strike into the bottom far corner on 57 minutes.

Anderson netted a header from a short free kick routine to gasps from the disbelieving crows, but Bernrdo Silva netted in added time to give the home fans a consolation..

The defeat is Portugal’s worst home defeat in 40 years, and a first to Denmark at home in 18 years. Jorge Jesus’ side also saw their 14-match unbeaten home streak vanish.

They remain top of Group A4 and will seal a quarter-final berth if they match Denmark’s result in the final group game on November 17 against Wales.