Portugal began the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era by putting four goals past Denmark. Ronaldo, the highest goalscorer in international football history, had earlier left the national team after falling out with newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus.
Playing Denmark in the Nations League, Jesus’ Portugal won 4-2 in a thrilling match in Copenhagen. Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Ramos twice gave the visitors the lead, but Denmark hit back on both occasions through Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund, the former Manchester United striker, celebrated his goal with Ronaldo’s trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration, something he has also done against Portugal in the past.
With the game tied at 2-2, Portugal finally moved ahead for good when Vitinha headed in from Bruno Fernandes’ delivery in the 67th minute. Joao Felix then added a fourth late on to seal the win for Jesus’ side.
The result keeps Portugal top of Group A4 with a perfect nine points from three matches.
COACH TAKES DIG AT RONALDO
It was Portugal’s first match since Ronaldo, 41, left the camp after being dropped to the bench against Norway.
Jesus had 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 players with status. That much is crystal clear,” Jesus said.
“But I’ll say it again – the rules are the same for everyone. That’s a method I’ve followed throughout my coaching career and I’ll continue to follow.”
Ronaldo has been a near-constant presence in the Portugal team for years and has scored 146 goals in a record 234 international appearances. His departure from the camp has now put his international future into doubt.
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, had earlier written on social media: “Betrayal is a dish best served cold.”
Jesus had also said before the match that he was “completely calm, with a clear conscience” over 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 much of the last two decades.
Leao had his moments but could not make the most of them. He came close to scoring after cutting inside onto his right foot early in the game, but later missed from close range and gave the ball away several times in the final third. His night ended in the 63rd minute when Trincao replaced him.
The decision to hand Leao the No. 7 shirt in Portugal’s first game of the post-Ronaldo era was significant, even if the former AC Milan player could not provide a direct replacement for the team’s record goalscorer. Portugal did, however, find enough goals from elsewhere to begin the new era with a win.
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Dan James and Neco Williams scored as Wales beat 10-man Norway 2-1 to pick up 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 at Ireland’s previous fixture 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.
– Ends
