Denmark vs. Portugal | Nations League | Quarter-Finals | 1st Leg | Pre Match
Denmark vs. Portugal
Denmark are gearing up to host Portugal at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie on Thursday night, a clash that pits a resilient Danish side against one of Europe’s footballing powerhouses. The stakes are significant, with the victors of this two-legged encounter earning the right to face either Italy or Germany in the semi-finals in June, bringing them tantalizingly close to the Nations League title. For Denmark, this match marks their inaugural foray into the knockout rounds of the competition, a milestone that comes after a turbulent period of transition following their Euro 2024 disappointment. Portugal, meanwhile, arrive as a team with a proven pedigree in this tournament, having topped their group with flair and now aiming to cement their legacy as the first nation to win the Nations League twice. The Parken faithful will be hoping their team can channel their impressive home form to upset a Portuguese outfit that has historically had the upper hand in this fixture, setting the stage for a compelling battle between two sides with contrasting trajectories and ambitions as they vie for supremacy in this opening leg.
Denmark’s journey to this quarter-final has been a tale of perseverance rather than dominance, reflecting a team adapting to change while clinging to their competitive edge. After a frustrating exit in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 at the hands of host nation Germany, the Red and Whites managed to secure eight points from their six Nations League matches (W2 D2 L2) in League A Group 4 during the second half of 2024, finishing second behind runaway leaders Spain. The campaign began under interim boss Lars Knudsen, who oversaw the first four games following Kasper Hjulmand’s resignation, before new head coach Brian Riemer took charge in October. Riemer, at 46, is still searching for his first victory as Denmark’s manager, a quest that began with a 2-1 home defeat to Spain in mid-November—his debut match—followed by a goalless draw against Serbia in their final group outing, a result that nevertheless clinched their place in the knockout phase. That draw showcased Denmark’s defensive grit, but their inability to find the net underscored the challenges Riemer faces in igniting an attack that has been inconsistent of late. Now, as they step into uncharted territory in the Nations League knockout rounds, Denmark face a daunting task against Portugal, a team they’ve beaten just three times in 16 meetings (D2 L11). Yet, there’s cause for optimism—the Red and Whites have lost only once in their last 15 home internationals (W11 D2), with that sole defeat coming against Spain, suggesting that Parken Stadium could be the fortress they need to defy the odds and take a lead into the second leg.
Historically, Denmark have struggled to assert themselves against Portugal, a fact that looms large as they prepare to face Roberto Martinez’s men. Their three victories over A Selecao are a distant memory, with Portugal winning four of the last five encounters, including back-to-back 1-0 triumphs in Euro 2016 qualifying. This lopsided record adds an extra layer of difficulty to Denmark’s ambitions, but their near-impenetrable home form offers a glimmer of hope—11 wins and two draws in their last 15 matches on Danish soil demonstrate a resilience that could trouble even a side of Portugal’s caliber. Riemer’s squad, however, has been depleted by injuries, with captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mads Roerslev both withdrawing, alongside Kasper Dolberg, Alexander Bah, and Matt O’Riley. Undeterred, Riemer is expected to stick with the 4-3-3 formation that defined his first two games, likely deploying Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Jannik Vestergaard, and either Joakim Maehle or Patrick Dorgu in a four-man backline. In midfield, Christian Eriksen—poised to earn his 141st cap—could anchor the engine room alongside Christian Norgaard and Morten Hjulmand, providing a blend of experience and tenacity. Up top, the spotlight falls on Monaco’s in-form striker Mika Biereth, who has scored an astonishing 11 goals in 12 games since joining the club in January, potentially making his senior international debut unless Rasmus Hojlund is preferred to lead the line. This mix of youth and seasoned campaigners will need to fire on all cylinders to breach a Portuguese defense that has been stingy in past meetings.
Portugal, by contrast, enter this tie with the swagger of a team that has rediscovered its rhythm after a bittersweet Euro 2024 campaign. Beaten by France on penalties in the quarter-finals last summer, A Selecao responded with a commanding performance in the Nations League, amassing four wins and two draws across their six League A Group 1 matches to finish top, six points clear of second-placed Croatia. Under Roberto Martinez, Portugal concluded 2024 in style, thrashing Poland 5-1 at home in a match that exploded into life after a goalless first 59 minutes, before settling for a 1-1 draw against Croatia in a meaningless final group fixture in mid-November. Ranked sixth in the world by FIFA—15 places above Denmark at 21st—Portugal are now chasing history as they bid to become the first nation to lift the Nations League trophy twice, having won the inaugural 2018-19 edition. Martinez’s men will fancy their chances against Denmark, given their recent dominance in this fixture, but their away form over the past 12 months paints a less assured picture—two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six internationals on the road, with three of those games ending without a Portuguese goal. This inconsistency could be Denmark’s opening, though Portugal’s attacking arsenal remains a formidable threat, capable of turning any match on its head with a moment of brilliance from their star-studded lineup.
Martinez has assembled a squad brimming with talent and experience, headlined by the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 40 is set to earn his 218th international cap and continues to defy age with his goal-scoring prowess at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo could be flanked by Wolverhampton’s Pedro Neto and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, forming a front three that blends pace, power, and precision. Adding intrigue, 17-year-old winder Geovany Quenda—reportedly on the verge of a move from Sporting Lisbon to Chelsea—offers Martinez a wildcard option and could make his senior debut off the bench, injecting youthful exuberance into the attack. In midfield, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes returns after missing the last international break due to suspension, bringing his creativity and leadership to the fold, while Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot are in contention to bolster a defense that will need to be wary of Denmark’s homegrown threats. Portugal’s depth and quality give them an edge, but their patchy away record suggests they’ll need to be at their sharpest to leave Copenhagen with a lead, especially against a Danish side buoyed by their partisan crowd and desperate to make a mark in their first Nations League knockout appearance.
In essence, this first leg at Parken Stadium promises to be a fascinating clash of styles and narratives, with Denmark’s dogged home resilience pitted against Portugal’s attacking flair and historical supremacy. The Red and Whites, under Riemer’s fledgling tenure, will look to harness the energy of their supporters and their formidable record in Copenhagen to upset a Portuguese side that has often been their nemesis, hoping to secure a rare victory and a foothold in this tie. Portugal, led by Martinez and spearheaded by Ronaldo, arrive with the confidence of group winners and the ambition to etch their name in Nations League history once more, but their inconsistent away form leaves the door ajar for an upset. Injuries have tested Denmark’s resolve, while Portugal’s wealth of options ensures they remain the favorites on paper, yet the tactical duel between Riemer and Martinez will be as critical as the individual battles on the pitch. With a semi-final berth against Italy or Germany on the line, both teams know the importance of striking first in this two-legged affair, setting the stage for a tense and thrilling encounter under the Copenhagen lights. As the whistle blows on Thursday night, the outcome remains finely poised, with everything to play for in the return leg.
