Portugal maintained their perfect start to the group stage with a 4–2 victory over Denmark, producing an entertaining attacking display despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese side were not entirely convincing defensively, conceding twice and allowing Denmark to level the contest on two occasions, but their attacking quality ultimately proved decisive.
The result marked Portugal’s third consecutive group-stage victory, taking their tally to nine points from three matches. Jorge Jesus’s side therefore continued their winning run while also providing evidence that they possess several attacking options capable of influencing a match when Ronaldo is not involved.
The game began at a lively pace. Portugal took the lead in the 12th minute when João Cancelo found the net, giving his side an early advantage. Denmark responded positively rather than allowing Portugal to dictate the contest, and Mikkel Damsgaard restored parity in the 23rd minute.
The Danish equaliser was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Portugal regained the lead through Gonçalo Ramos, who converted after receiving a pass from Bruno Fernandes. Ramos was one of the most influential figures in Portugal’s attacking play, finishing the match with a goal and an assist.
Denmark refused to retreat after falling behind again. The visitors continued to look for openings and were rewarded shortly after the restart when Højlund scored to make it 2–2. The equaliser ensured that Portugal could not afford to ease off, with Denmark once again presenting a serious threat.
The match remained open, with both sides creating opportunities. Portugal eventually regained the advantage in the 67th minute, when Vitinha scored with a header. That goal shifted the balance back towards the Portuguese side and forced Denmark to chase the game once more.
Portugal then sealed the victory late in the contest. João Félix scored in the 87th minute to make it 4–2, ending Denmark’s hopes of producing another comeback. The final score reflected an attacking match in which both teams had periods of control, although Portugal were more effective when decisive opportunities arrived.
While the four goals will attract most of the attention, Portugal’s defensive performance was less secure. They conceded twice and allowed Denmark to recover from losing positions on two separate occasions. The ability to close games more efficiently will remain an area for consideration as the group stage progresses.
Ronaldo’s absence had been one of the main talking points before kick-off. The Portugal captain had not featured in the previous match against Norway, a decision that had generated considerable discussion. Reports that he would also miss the starting line-up against Denmark added to the focus surrounding his status.
The situation attracted further attention when Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp one day before the Denmark match. His departure meant that Portugal entered the fixture without one of the most prominent players in their squad, placing greater emphasis on the responsibility carried by the rest of the attacking unit.
On the pitch, however, Portugal did not allow the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo to dominate their performance. Cancelo, Ramos, Vitinha and Félix all contributed goals, while Fernandes played a key creative role. The spread of goals also demonstrated that Portugal were able to threaten Denmark through different players rather than relying on a single source of attacking output.
For Denmark, the defeat came despite a spirited performance. They managed to equalise twice and remained competitive for long periods, but Portugal’s ability to regain the lead and add a fourth goal in the closing stages settled the contest.
The 4–2 victory leaves Portugal with a maximum nine points from three group matches and plenty of momentum. Their next challenge will be to maintain that consistency while addressing the defensive gaps exposed against Denmark. At the same time, developments surrounding Ronaldo’s absence will continue to attract attention as Portugal’s campaign moves forward.
