Denmark's forward Rasmus Hojlund (C) and his teammates attend a training session on the eve of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final, first-leg, football match Denmark v Portugal in Helsingor on March 19, 2025.Denmark's forward Rasmus Hojlund (C) and his teammates attend a training session on the eve of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final, first-leg, football match Denmark v Portugal in Helsingor on March 19, 2025.
Denmark's forward Rasmus Hojlund (C) and his teammates attend a training session on the eve of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final, first-leg, football match Denmark v Portugal in Helsingor on March 19, 2025. | Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
Rasmus Hojlund pulled off Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration as Denmark defeated Portugal 1-0 on Thursday night
Rasmus Hojlund was the hero for Denmark on Thursday night as he came off the bench to score the winning goal against Portugal in the Nations League quarter-finals.
The Danes take on Portugal over two legs this week as they look to book their place in the semi-finals of the Nations League. After Hojlund’s strike, Denmark will take a slender lead to Portugal. It could have been a greater lead for the Scandinavian nation, as Christian Eriksen saw a first-half penalty saved while United defender Diogo Dalot cleared another of Eriksen’s efforts off the line.
The second leg will be played on Sunday night, with United’s Danish and Portuguese contingents then turning their focuses back to the remainder of the Red Devils’ campaign.
Hojlund copies Ronaldo celebration
After scoring on Thursday night, Hojlund performed Ronaldo’s trademark celebration in front of the jubilant home supporters. An iconic image of Ronaldo watching on emerged after the game. Speaking afterwards, Hojlund insisted the imitation was a show of respect rather than mocking the former Red Devils star.
Hojlund said: “The celebration was for my idol, I didn’t celebrate like that to make fun of him or anything like that. Cristiano had such a big impact on me and my career. For me, scoring in a game against him and against Portugal is something huge. I remember him scoring a goal in 2011, from a free kick, I was in the stadium watching the game and, from that day on, he became my idol. I dreamed about this moment many times.”
The goal came at a good time for Hojlund, who made it two goals in two games after over 20 matches without a goal. He scored in the 3-0 win at Leicester City before finding the net again in Copenhagen.
Denmark’s national media raved about Hojlund’s display. B.T. wrote: “Hojlund is fighting his way out of the crisis in Manchester and also seemed very keen to prove his worth on the national team too. And he did! And the real redemption came when he put Andreas Skov Olsen's cross pass into the net. And celebrated with 'Siiiiiiuuuu'! Fantastic story.”
Ronaldo sends message ahead of second leg
With Portugal set to host Denmark in the second leg, Ronaldo took to Instagram to send a message of defiance. He wrote: “We have 90 minutes to turn around. Roll on Portugal!”
Bruno Fernandes and Dalot both featured in what Portugal boss Roberto Martinez called the nation’s worst performance in two years. He reflected: “We had a poor performance. It was clearly our worst performance in the last two years. Our attitude was very good, but Denmark were better. They played the game we expected, using the atmosphere to their advantage. We didn't win duels, Denmark likes to have a lot of players inside, we lost the ball easily, we lacked synchronisation and pressure.
“We did everything Denmark likes. Diogo Costa 's performance was on another level. Rúben Dias and Renato Veiga also played well defensively in the box. We are very disappointed with our performance. Normally, these games don't give us a second chance, but we can show our level in Alvalade and turn things around.”
Related topics:Rasmus HojlundDenmarkCristiano Ronaldo
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