Cristiano Ronaldo was again the center of attention as his Portugal team lost 1-0 away to Denmark in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.
The former Manchester United man was largely anonymous throughout the match.
His latest lacklustre performance prompted more awkward questions for Portugal boss Roberto Martinez about whether or not he is right to persist with the nation’s record goalscorer.
Despite drawing a blank, Ronaldo’s trademark ‘sui’ celebration was performed on the night. Not by the legendary striker, but by the much maligned current Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund emerged from the bench after 69 minutes, and within ten, had scored the goal that decided the match.
Following on from his goal against Leicester City for his club side on Sunday night, Hojlund coolly slotted home the only goal of the game, finishing off a fine move that involved his United team mate Christian Eriksen and Andreas Skov Olsen, who is credited with the assist.
The goal prompted Hojlund to perform Ronaldo’s familiar ‘sui’ celebration. Defending his actions Hojlund claimed he did it out of admiration for the man he described as his hero, not to mock him.
Whatever his motivations, Hojlund’s goal has set the second leg up nicely.
His Denmark side were by far the better team and can count themselves unfortunate not to be further ahead. They had 23 attempts on goal to Portugal’s eight, with nine on target (Portugal had just two).
Had it not been for Portugal keeper Diogo Costa, the tie might already be over.
A 24th-minute penalty save was the standout moment in what was an excellent performance that kept his country in with a chance of reaching the semifinals.
Portugal were outplayed in the first leg, but escaped with a 1-0 win. At home, we expect Roberto Martinez’s team to be a totally different proposition.
Despite having a poor night in Copenhagen, Portugal still had the better of the possession with 56 percent.
Ronaldo and his teammates are likely to have even more of the ball at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, where we expect them to turn the possession into more efforts on goal.
Portugal won all three of their home Nations League fixtures with an aggregate score of 9-3. We expect them to make it four wins in a row against the Danes.
