Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 After Ronaldo Leaves National Team Camp
Portugal answered a turbulent week with a 4-2 UEFA Nations League win over Denmark in Copenhagen, preserving their perfect start under Jorge Jesus and strengthening their hold on first place in the group.
The match followed Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp on Wednesday. The 41-year-old left after being told he would begin on the bench for a second match in succession, placing an unwanted spotlight on the squad before the trip to Denmark.
Portugal nevertheless produced an assured attacking performance, with Gonçalo Ramos taking his chance as the central forward. The AC Milan striker scored with an outside-of-the-foot finish and also supplied an assist as the visitors reached four goals, leaving Ronaldo’s absence with little effect on the contest itself.
Ramos said afterwards that the players had not allowed events away from the pitch to distract them. He said the situation had not affected the group, stressing that outside matters could not alter the importance Portugal attached to winning the game.
The forward also credited Jesus for giving the side greater clarity in and out of possession. Ramos said the new coach had made each player’s responsibilities clearer in both defence and attack, while the emphasis on winning possession high up the field had helped Portugal create closer-range scoring opportunities.
Jesus rejected the idea that the midweek developments had damaged unity within his squad. He said such incidents would not divide the players and maintained that Portugal’s four-goal display, rather than the controversy surrounding Ronaldo, was the significant outcome of the evening.
Ramos has now scored against both Norway and Denmark during the campaign and is increasingly establishing himself as Portugal’s leading attacking reference point. He said he was pleased to be consolidating his role within the group.
Portugal return to action on Sunday when they welcome Norway to the Dragao Stadium in Porto. Another victory would maintain their flawless Nations League record and further reinforce Jesus’s early impact as manager.
