Cristiano Ronaldo saw his Portugal team lose 1-0 at Denmark thanks to a late-goal from Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
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Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on
Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a warning to Rasmus Hojlund and Denmark
Cristiano Ronaldo has responded on social media after Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund mimicked his celebration after scoring for Denmark.
Ronaldo's Portugal conceded a late goal courtesy of Hojlund to lose the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final clash 1-0 at Parken Stadium on Thursday. The Reds forward struck in the 78th minute to help spare the blushes of Christian Eriksen, whose first-half penalty was saved.
Portugal will now need to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg on Sunday evening if Roberto Martinez's side are to progress to the semi-finals. Legendary former United forward Ronaldo remains bullish about his side's chances of turning things around in Lisbon this weekend.
"We have 90 minutes to turn around," he said on Instagram in Portuguese. In a warning to Denmark's players, he added: "Roll on Portugal!"
Hojlund's goal came off the back of breaking his 23-game goal drought for United at Leicester City on Sunday. The Dane has since cleared up the meaning behind his copying of Ronaldo's trademark celebration while on international duty.
"I’m playing against the world’s best footballer, my idol, and to score a goal and win the match... it couldn’t be better," United's No.11 told TV2 via Fotbollskanalen.
Confirming that he meant no disrespect with his actions, Hojlund added: "It’s for my idol. It’s not like I’m mocking him or anything. I’ve just always said that he has a lot of importance to me and my football career.
"It’s maybe a bit ambivalent, but scoring against him and Portugal is huge. I was there and saw him in 2009 when he scored from a free kick and I’ve been a fan ever since."
Hojlund also came up against United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot who both started Thursday's clash.
Whoever progresses will face either Italy or Germany in the semi-finals this summer.
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