Portugal continued their perfect start to the group stage with a thrilling 4–2 victory over Denmark, producing a lively attacking performance despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese side were occasionally exposed at the back, but their attacking quality and ability to respond to Denmark’s challenges ultimately secured a convincing victory.
The result marked Portugal’s third consecutive win in the group stage, taking Jorge Jesus’s side to nine points from three matches. It was also a significant performance given the attention surrounding Ronaldo’s absence before the match.
Portugal made the stronger start and took the lead in the 12th minute. João Cancelo found the net to give his side an early advantage and set the tone for an open contest.
Denmark responded well, refusing to allow Portugal to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Their persistence was rewarded in the 23rd minute when Mikkel Damsgaard scored to bring the match level at 1–1.
Portugal immediately looked to regain control. Just two minutes after Denmark’s equaliser, Gonçalo Ramos restored the Portuguese lead. Bruno Fernandes provided the pass, allowing Ramos to finish the move and put Portugal 2–1 ahead.
Ramos was one of the key figures in Portugal’s attacking performance. His goal and assist gave him a direct contribution to two of his side’s goals, while his movement provided Denmark’s defence with another problem to deal with.
The visitors, however, continued to threaten after the interval. Denmark found another route back into the match when Højlund scored early in the second half, making it 2–2. The goal ensured that Portugal could not afford to relax, with Denmark once again showing their ability to punish spaces in the Portuguese defence.
The match then entered another decisive phase. Portugal pushed forward in search of a third goal and eventually regained the lead in the 67th minute. Vitinha scored with a header to make it 3–2 and once again put Portugal in front.
Denmark had to chase the game during the closing stages, leaving spaces for Portugal to exploit. The Portuguese side eventually made those opportunities count. João Félix scored in the 87th minute to make it 4–2, effectively settling the contest.
The final score reflected a match in which attacking football dominated. Portugal scored four times through four different players, while Denmark managed two goals of their own. The result also highlighted Portugal’s attacking depth, particularly on an occasion when one of their most recognisable players was unavailable.
Ronaldo’s absence had been one of the main talking points in the build-up to the fixture. The Portugal captain had not played in the previous match against Norway, a decision that had generated considerable discussion. There were also reports that he would not be included in the starting line-up against Denmark.
The situation attracted further attention when Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp one day before the Denmark match. His departure added another layer to the speculation surrounding his absence, although Portugal ultimately allowed their performance on the pitch to take centre stage.
For Jorge Jesus, the victory provided another positive result during the group campaign. Portugal have now collected the maximum nine points available from their opening three matches, maintaining a perfect record.
There were still concerns in defence. Portugal conceded twice and allowed Denmark to draw level on two occasions. Against more clinical opposition, such lapses could create greater problems. The attacking response, however, was decisive on this occasion.
Denmark can take encouragement from their ability to recover twice after falling behind. Damsgaard’s equaliser and Højlund’s second-half goal kept the contest alive, but Portugal proved more effective when the decisive moments arrived.
With Cancelo, Ramos, Vitinha and Félix all finding the net, Portugal demonstrated that their attacking threat does not depend entirely on one player. Bruno Fernandes also played an important creative role, particularly in setting up Ramos.
The 4–2 victory therefore leaves Portugal with momentum and a perfect group-stage record, while the circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s absence remain a significant talking point away from the pitch. The team’s next challenge will be to maintain their winning form while tightening a defence that conceded twice against Denmark.
