Portugal suffer heaviest Ronaldo-era defeat in 23 years as Denmark win 4-1

Portugal suffered their heaviest defeat in a match without Cristiano Ronaldo for more than 23 years as Denmark won 4-1 in the Nations League on Saturday.

The defeat came in the fifth round of the group stage at Braga Municipal Stadium and marked the first Portugal match since Ronaldo announced his international retirement.

It was the biggest loss Portugal have endured without their former captain since 6 September 2003, when they were beaten 3-0 by Spain. That match came only weeks after Ronaldo made his international debut against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003.

Portugal also conceded four goals in a game for the first time since losing 4-2 to Germany at Euro 2020 on 19 June 2021.

The result brought another unwanted record. Portugal had never previously fallen four goals behind in a competitive home fixture, before Bernardo Silva scored in the third minute of stoppage time to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

The last time Portugal conceded four goals at home was on 3 September 2010, when they drew 4-4 with Cyprus in Guimaraes.

Saturday’s result was also Portugal’s heaviest home defeat in a competitive match. It was their largest loss in any match since a 3-0 friendly defeat by the Netherlands on 26 June 2018.

Denmark punish Portugal after half-time

Denmark took the lead in the 43rd minute when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg converted a penalty after Ruben Dias was penalised for handball.

Rasmus Højlund doubled the visitors’ advantage five minutes after the interval, then struck again seven minutes later to put Denmark firmly in control.

Portugal’s difficult evening continued when Joachim Andersen scored Denmark’s fourth in the 75th minute. The goal put the hosts four behind in a competitive home match for the first time.

Bernardo Silva, of Real Madrid, scored Portugal’s late consolation.

The defeat came on the night Portugal paid tribute to Ronaldo, who ended his international career after winning 234 caps and scoring 146 goals. He is the country’s all-time leading scorer and guided Portugal to the European Championship title in 2016, as well as Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025.

Despite the heavy loss, Portugal remain top of League A Group 4. They had already secured a place in the quarter-finals before facing Denmark and stayed on 12 points.

Denmark moved on to nine points, keeping their hopes alive ahead of the final round of matches.