Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in Braga in first match since Ronaldo's international retirement

Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, 14 November 2026. The match was played at the Estadio Municipal in Braga, with Portugal as the home side.

It was Portugal's first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football. He announced his retirement the previous week. Before kick-off, the Portugal team and the mascots walked out wearing his number 7 and his name on their shirts.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg gave Denmark the lead from a penalty in the 43rd minute. Rasmus Højlund, described in the reports as a Napoli striker, then scored twice. His first goal was a volley four minutes after the restart. His second came seven minutes later, a shot from the edge of the area after he went past Rúben Dias. Joachim Andersen headed Denmark's fourth goal. Boos and whistles were heard in the stadium after that goal. Bernardo Silva scored late for Portugal.

Portugal had already qualified for the quarter-finals after winning their first four group matches. Anadolu Agency's headline described the result as the hosts' first Nations League defeat. Denmark are second in Group A4 with nine points from five matches, three points behind Portugal. A draw against Norway on Tuesday will be enough for Denmark to reach the quarter-finals.

In the same group, Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo earlier on Saturday. Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup scored in the second half. David Brooks pulled a goal back for Wales late on, before Erling Haaland scored a penalty near the end. Wales will finish bottom of Group A4.

According to The Guardian, Haaland's penalty followed a foul by Connor Roberts on Schjelderup. The Guardian reported that the goal took Haaland's Nations League record to 23 and that Norway avenged their October defeat in Cardiff. Wales host Portugal on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, Wales could finish level with Norway on six points but have the worse head-to-head record, and could face a playoff in March to avoid relegation from the top tier.

Background

According to Al Jazeera, Ronaldo, 41, made his Portugal debut in 2003 and set world records for international goals and appearances, with 146 goals in 234 matches. Al Jazeera described winning Euro 2016 as the highlight of his international career. It also reported that fans held up a large banner for Ronaldo as the teams came out, and that there was applause around the stadium when the match clock reached seven minutes.

Al Jazeera reported that Ronaldo fell out with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus after he was not selected for a Nations League match in September. According to Al Jazeera, the dispute led to a 30-day suspension from the Portuguese football federation and to his retirement. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include Ronaldo's own statement, the federation's statement on the suspension, or either side's account of the dispute.

The reports also include no comments after the match from either coach or from any players.

Analysis

The result does not change Portugal's place in the quarter-finals, but it gives the team a heavy defeat in its first match without Ronaldo. Some observers may link the two. The reports offer no evidence that one caused the other, and the team, coach and players have not been quoted. For Denmark, Tuesday's match against Norway decides whether they progress. A draw would be enough. For Wales, the final match against Portugal and a possible playoff in March could decide whether they stay in the top tier. How Portugal's team develops after Ronaldo will become clearer over more matches.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.