Portugal scored 4 goals for Denmark as the team begins the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era

Portugal started the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era by scoring four goals past Denmark. Ronaldo, the top scorer in international football history, had previously quit the national team after falling out with newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus.

In their Nations League clash with Denmark, Jesus’ Portugal won 4-2 in a thrilling game in Copenhagen. Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Ramos twice took the lead for the visitors, but Denmark hit back both times through Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund, a former Manchester United striker, celebrated his goal with Ronaldo’s signature ‘Siuuu’ celebration, which he has also done against Portugal in the past. Courtesy: Reuters

With the score tied at 2-2, Portugal finally went ahead when Vitinho headed in from Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 67th minute. Joao Felix then added a fourth late on to seal the win for Jesus’ side.

The result keeps Portugal at the top of Group A4 with a perfect nine points from three matches. Courtesy: Reuters

COACHING HAPPENS IN RONALDO

It was Portugal’s first game since Ronaldo, 41, left the camp after being benched against Norway.

Jesus made it clear that Ronaldo’s status would not guarantee him a place in the starting XI and the Portuguese coach appeared to stick to that position after the win in Copenhagen.

“I still think exactly the same way – there are status players. That’s crystal clear,” Jesus said.

“But I’ll say it again – the rules are the same for everyone. That’s the method I’ve followed my whole coaching career and I’ll follow it.”

Ronaldo has been a near-constant in the Portugal team for years, scoring 146 goals in a record 234 international appearances. His exit from the camp has now put his international future in doubt.

Ronaldo’s sister Elma Aveiro previously wrote on social media: “Betrayal is a dish best served cold.”

Jesus also said before the match that he was “absolutely calm, with a clear conscience” about the situation.

RONALDO REPLACEMENT FLOPS

Jesus chose Rafael Leao to start in attack, with the forward wearing the No.7 shirt that has been synonymous with Ronaldo for most of the past two decades.

Leao had his moments but couldn’t make the most of them. He came close to scoring after cutting with his right foot early in the game, but later missed from close range and gave the ball away several times in the final period. His night ended in the 63rd minute when he was replaced by Trincao. Courtesy: Reuters

The decision to hand Lea the number 7 shirt in Portugal’s first post-Ronaldo era was significant, even if the former AC Milan player could not provide a direct replacement for the team’s record goalscorer. However, Portugal found enough goals from elsewhere to start a new era with victory.

Elsewhere in the Nations League, Dan James and Neco Williams scored as Wales beat 10-man Norway 2-1 to claim their first points of the campaign.

In League B, Ireland were held to a 2-2 draw by Austria in Dublin. The match was briefly stopped after tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch in protest of Ireland’s previous match against Israel.

Troy Parrott scored both of Ireland’s goals but Austria held on for a point. Ireland’s next match against Israel will be played behind closed doors in neutral Serbia.

– The end