Portugal through to Nations League semis after 5-3 aggregate win over Denmark
Portugal vs Denmark
Portugal’s Francisco Trincão emerged as the hero of the night, coming off the bench to score twice, while Cristiano Ronaldo also found the net in a thrilling 5-2 victory over Denmark after extra time on Sunday, securing a 5-3 aggregate triumph that propelled Portugal into a Nations League semi-final clash with Germany. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, a testament to Portugal’s resilience and attacking depth, as they overcame an early setback and a determined Danish side to keep their tournament hopes alive. Ronaldo, the talismanic captain, bounced back from the disappointment of missing an early penalty to play a pivotal role in his team’s recovery, his influence felt both on and off the pitch. Even after being substituted before extra time, he remained a vocal presence on the sidelines, urging the crowd to rally behind his teammates as Portugal finally broke through Denmark’s stubborn resistance. The Danes had arrived with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg in Copenhagen, courtesy of Rasmus Højlund’s goal, and their confidence was buoyed by a disciplined defensive setup. However, their preparations were disrupted when fullback Joakim Mæhle left the camp to attend the birth of his child, forcing Patrick Dorgu into the lineup as his replacement. Dorgu’s inexperience showed almost immediately, as he bundled over Ronaldo in the box just three minutes in, conceding a penalty that handed Portugal a golden opportunity to level the tie early. The crowd erupted, sensing a shift, but Ronaldo’s spot-kick was thwarted by Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel, who guessed correctly and dived smartly to his left to deny the Portuguese legend, keeping the aggregate score in Denmark’s favor and setting the tone for a fiercely contested battle.
Despite the early miss, Ronaldo refused to let his head drop, his hunger to make amends driving Portugal forward as they sought to claw their way back into the tie. In the 17th minute, he nearly redeemed himself, ghosting in at the far post to meet a pinpoint cross from Nuno Mendes with a powerful header that seemed destined for the net. Yet, Schmeichel once again proved his nemesis, producing a stunning save to keep the ball out and frustrate Ronaldo’s efforts to equalize. The Danish goalkeeper’s heroics kept Portugal at bay, his commanding presence between the posts a constant thorn in the hosts’ side as they dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances. The breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute, albeit through an unexpected source—an own goal from Danish defender Joachim Andersen. Ronaldo’s tenacity had earned Portugal a corner, and when the ball was whipped into the box, Andersen inadvertently headed it past his own keeper, leveling the score on the night and sending the home fans into raptures. It was a moment of fortune for Portugal, a reward for their relentless pressure, but Denmark remained unbowed, their aggregate lead intact as they regrouped and prepared to weather the storm. The first half ended with Portugal in the ascendancy, their attacking intent clear, yet the tie remained delicately poised, with Schmeichel’s resilience ensuring that Denmark still held the upper hand as the teams headed into the interval.
The second half brought a renewed sense of urgency from both sides, as Denmark struck back to reclaim their advantage on aggregate with a well-worked set-piece of their own. In the 56th minute, Rasmus Kristensen rose highest to meet a corner, his header flashing past Portugal’s goalkeeper to make it 1-1 on the night and restore Denmark’s two-goal cushion across the tie. The goal silenced the home crowd momentarily, a reminder of Denmark’s threat and their ability to capitalize on limited opportunities. However, Ronaldo, ever the clutch performer, responded in kind, restoring Portugal’s lead on the night with a clinical finish from a tight angle. Latching onto a through ball, he squeezed his shot past Schmeichel, who could only watch as the ball nestled into the net, leveling the score at 2-2 on the night and narrowing the aggregate gap to a single goal. The stadium erupted, Ronaldo’s trademark celebration igniting the stands as Portugal sensed a comeback was within reach. Yet, Denmark refused to buckle, and Christian Eriksen delivered a hammer blow in the 76th minute, putting the visitors back in front on aggregate with a composed finish that exploited a rare lapse in Portugal’s defense. With the clock ticking down, the tie seemed to be slipping away from the hosts, their efforts thwarted by a Danish side that defended with grit and struck with precision. It was a moment that tested Portugal’s resolve, their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread as extra time loomed as a possibility.
Enter Francisco Trincão, the substitute whose introduction proved to be the turning point Portugal so desperately needed. With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Trincão seized his moment, scoring a crucial equalizer to make it 3-3 on aggregate and force extra time. The goal came from a swift counter-attack, Trincão finishing with composure to send the game into an additional 30 minutes and breathe new life into Portugal’s campaign. His impact didn’t end there; in the 91st minute of extra time, he struck again, this time with a superb clipped finish over Schmeichel that put Portugal ahead for the first time in the tie. The goal was a thing of beauty, a delicate touch that belied the pressure of the moment, and it shifted the momentum decisively in Portugal’s favor. Denmark, who had defended heroically throughout, began to falter, their energy sapped by Trincão’s relentless energy and Portugal’s unrelenting pressure. The Danes’ resistance, so resolute for much of the match, finally crumbled, and substitute Gonçalo Ramos delivered the coup de grace, adding Portugal’s fifth goal in extra time to seal a 5-2 win on the night and a 5-3 triumph on aggregate. The final whistle sparked wild celebrations, Portugal’s players and fans united in jubilation as they secured a semi-final showdown with Germany, who had edged past Italy 5-4 on aggregate in their own quarter-final tie. It was a victory built on persistence, with Trincão’s brace and Ronaldo’s leadership proving decisive in a match that showcased Portugal’s depth and determination.
The triumph was a testament to Portugal’s character, their ability to recover from an early penalty miss and a one-goal deficit a reflection of their experience and attacking firepower. Ronaldo, despite his early setback, finished with a goal and a hand in the own goal, his presence a constant catalyst even as he watched Trincão steal the spotlight from the bench. Schmeichel’s brilliance had kept Denmark in contention, his saves denying Ronaldo on multiple occasions, but even he couldn’t stem the tide once Portugal found their rhythm. For Denmark, the defeat was a bitter end to a valiant effort, their goals from Kristensen and Eriksen not enough to overcome a Portuguese side that grew stronger as the game wore on. The semi-final matchup with Germany promises another blockbuster encounter, pitting two of Europe’s heavyweights against each other in a battle for a place in the Nations League final. As the dust settled, Portugal could reflect on a night of drama and triumph, their 5-2 extra-time win a statement of intent that reverberated far beyond the stadium walls, setting the stage for a thrilling continuation of their tournament journey.
