Portugal eventually overcame Denmark 5-3 on aggregate after extra-time in a pulsating Nations League quarter-final. Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 219th international cap for Portugal with a rather weak penalty that Kasper Schmeichel saved easily. It was Ronaldo who drew the foul in the fifth penalty, but his side-footed effort was feeble. More comical play was to follow, when Joachim Andersen headed in his net via a Portugal corner. Ronaldo appeared to have put Portugal 2-1 up on the stroke of half-time, but offside was given.
With just over 30 minutes to go, Rasmus Kristensen got up at the back post to head home a Christian Eriksen corner. Just when Denmark seemed to have blunted Portugal's attack, Bruno Fernandes saw a long-range strike cannon off the post. Ronaldo put in the rebound from a tight angle. Yet Denmark were not to be denied. Of all people, it was Ruben Dias who lost possession, Patrick Dorgu centred for Eriksen to tap in.
However, the game transformed with the introduction of Francisco Trincao with nine minutes left. The Sporting winger crashed home Portugal's third in the 86th minute. He was on hand to grab a second a minute into extra-time. He was also involved in a flowing move that saw Goncalo Ramos to score a fifth for Portugal.
Portugal v Denmark Match Statistics
Portugal
58%
18
11
21
1
Match Highlights
Portugal Player Ratings
Formation: 4-3-3
Ronaldo
GK: Diogo Costa - 6/10
Had little to do at times, but still found himself picking the ball out the net.
LB: Nuno Mendes
Without Portugal having so much possession, the full-back
CB: Goncalo Inacio - 6/10
Enjoyed playing alongside someone as solid as Dias.
CB: Ruben Dias - 6/10
Looked very assured in the heart of the Portugal defence, but was at fault for Eriksen's goal.
RB: Diogo Dalot - 5/10
A bit sloppy at times, a throw-in he took in the second-half almost led to a Denmark goal.
M: Bruno Fernandes - 6/10
Was the catalyst for Ronaldo's goal, but not involved as much as he would have liked.
M: Vitinha - 6/10
Tried to set the tempo, but not as influential as Eriksen for the Danes.
M: Bernardo Silva - 6/10
Got on the ball often, but was able to find the killer pass he was after.
RW: Francisco Conceicao - 6/10
Would have hoped to have done better after getting on the end of a flowing second-half move.
CF: Cristiano Ronaldo - 6/10
Failed to score an early penalty after a weak strike on goal, but was on hand to net Portugal's second.
LW: Rafael Leao - 6.5/10
Saw plenty of the ball and looked a threat to the Danish back line with his pace.
SUB - Diogo Jota - 5/10
Didn't make a real impact.
SUB - Nelson Semedo - 5/10
Too late to make an impact.
SUB - Francisco Trincao - 7.5/10 - Man of Match
Made a big impact by scoring a Portugal third, then a composed finish in the first minute of extra-time.
SUB - Goncalo Ramos - 6/10
Did relatively well in extra-time and got a goal.
SUB - Ruben Neves - 5/10
Brought on in extra time.
Denmark Player Ratings
Formation: 4-3-3
MixCollage-23-Mar-2025-09-11-PM-2628
GK: Kasper Schmeichel - 6.5/10
Did not have to be at his best to save Cristiano Ronaldo's awful penalty kick.
RB: Rasmus Kristensen - 6.5/10
Got up well on the back post to equalise for Denmark on the night.
CB: Joachim Anderson - 5/10
Somehow managed to upstage Ronaldo when it came poor play, heading unchallenged into his own net.
CB: Jannick Vestergaard - 5/10
Tried to beat his teammate Anderson to ball in the air, but rather than prevent the own goal, he seemed to aid it.
LB: Patrick Dorgu - 6.5/10
Put in a solid, if unspectacular shift on the left for the Danes.
M: Christian Eriksen - 7/10
Used all of his experience to play a series of probing balls behind the home defence.
M: Morten Hjulmand - 6/10
Would have hoped to have hit the target after intercepting a Dalot throw in, but shot narrowly wide.
M: Christian Norgaard - 6/10
Worked hard in the Danish engine room to frustrate Portugal.
RW: Gustav Isaksen - 6/10
Was prepared to graft with much promise of glory for the Danes.
CF: Rasmus Hojlund - 6/10
Worked hard for his team without ever looking a threat in front of goal.
LW: Jesper Lindstrom - 6/10
Battled away without setting the world on fire.
SUB - Victor Froholdt - 5/10
Was not able to make a significant impact.
SUB - Andreas Skov Olsen - 5/10
The game swung Portugal's way when Olsen came on.
SUB - Morten Frendrup - 5/10
Not able to make an impact.
SUB - Victor Krisitansen - 5/10
Unable to change the game for the Danes.
SUB - Mika Biereth - 5/10
Not able to make an impact.
SUB - Conrad Harder - 5/10
Not able to make an impact.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo Jr Related
The 3 Countries Cristiano Ronaldo Jr Could Play For at International Level
The youngster won't be short of international options