Portugal Show Life After Ronaldo In 4-2 Nations League Win Over Denmark

Portugal gave fans a glimpse of what the national team could look like without Cristiano Ronaldo after beating Denmark 4-2 in their Nations League match in Copenhagen.

Joao Cancelo opened the scoring for Portugal before Mikkel Damsgaard equalised for Denmark. Goncalo Ramos then restored Portugal’s lead, but Rasmus Hojlund scored again for the hosts to make it 2-2.

Vitinha put Portugal ahead for the third time with a header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross, before Joao Felix sealed the win with a late fourth goal.

The match came after Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp following his surprise omission from the team against Norway.

The 41-year-old remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, with 146 international goals in 234 appearances. He has also scored 979 goals across his professional career.

Ronaldo has been a regular starter for Portugal for many years, but questions have grown over whether the team can perform better with a younger and more mobile attack.

The defeat of Denmark will add to that discussion, although one match alone cannot decide what Portugal’s future should look like.

Ronaldo had recently reunited with former Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus after Roberto Martinez left his position as Portugal head coach.

The veteran forward started Portugal’s 1-0 Nations League win over Wales but was left on the bench for the 2-1 victory against Norway.

It was the first time since 2008 that Ronaldo had been an unused substitute for Portugal.