Patrick Dorgu has accused “clever” Cristiano Ronaldo of manipulating match officials to win a penalty during Denmark’s UEFA Nations League second-leg tie with Portugal.
Denmark won the first leg 1-0 last week thanks to a goal from Rasmus Hojlund, who recently ended a 21-match goal drought, after scoring in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.
Five United players started the second leg as Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot lined up for Portugal against Denmark trio Christian Eriksen, Patrick Dorgu and Hojlund.
Portugal defeated Denmark 5-2 after extra time for a 5-3 aggregate victory that booked their place in the Nations League semi-finals, where they will face Germany.
The game had no shortage of drama. Seven goals, controversy and Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty. The former United goalscorer has now reached 136 international goals.
Photo by David Martins/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by David Martins/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Patrick Dorgu accuses Cristiano Ronaldo of manipulating officials
Portugal were always going to look for a fast start in Lisbon, especially after losing to first leg 1-0.
They were gifted an early opportunity to level the scoring on aggregate from the penalty spot when Manchester United left wing-back Dorgu was accused of pulling Ronaldo to the ground.
Ronaldo stood up to the spot from 12 yards before sending a tame effort towards Kasper Schmeichel, but he made amends by getting on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute.
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Speaking after the match, Dorgu made it clear that he was bemused by the theatrics Ronaldo used to win the penalty, describing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner a “clever”.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is clever,” Dorgu told TV2 via Goal. “He knows how to win a penalty.
“I don’t feel like I grabbed him too hard and I think there was more contact in other situations in the game. I just put my hand on his arm and he threw himself to the ground. It was a good play from him.
“Of course it bothers me a little bit. But we played for 90 minutes and I think I gave a good response. I’m not going to let a penalty affect me so early in the game. I have to be more careful and learn from it.”
Minutes played 97
Goals 0
Assists 0
Clearances 5
Interceptions 3
Dribbled past 1
Penalty committed 1
Ground duels (won) 15 (8)
Aerial duels (won) 3 (2)
Possession lost 10
Touches 60
Accurate passes 25/31 (81%)
Patrick Dorgu stats vs Portugal
What’s next for Patrick Dorgu?
The March international breaks is over as far as Denmark are concerned, so Dorgu will travel back to Manchester with an objective to finish the 2024/25 campaign strongly.
Dorgu has served a three-match domestic suspension and will return to Premier League action next Tuesday when United travel to Nottingham Forest.
It will be Dorgu’s first domestic appearance since his red card in United’s 3-2 win over Ipswich Town.
United also have an important two-legged affair against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals to focus on.
The return of Dorgu will come as a huge boost for United because Amorim’s squad lacks players with the ability to play as wing-backs.