Denmark shock Portugal in first game without Ronaldo

Portugal suffered a heavy loss in their first game since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement as former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund scored twice to help Denmark gain a superb victory

Ronaldo, 41, netted 146 goals and played 234 times for his country - both world records - since making his debut in 2003 and won the Ballon d'Or as the world's best player on five occasions. But he retired from international football in a video posted on social media last week, even though coach Jorge Jesus later said Ronaldo would have been picked for the Uefa Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.

The iconic forward walked out of the Portugal camp in September after being told he would not start the first match against Denmark, resulting in a £215 fine and 30-day suspension. Saturday's game took place in Braga with the Portuguese fans and players paying tribute to Ronaldo.

Each of the players and the mascots walked out wearing a 'Ronaldo 7' shirt, with the fans displaying the word 'Ronaldo' in the top tier of one of the stands and the letters 'GOAT' (Greatest Of All Time) on the bottom tier. There was also a banner that translated as 'thank you, captain', with a similar message appearing on the scoreboard in the seventh minute. But the party mood fell flat as Denmark cruised to a convincing win.

Former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a penalty just before half-time to put the visitors ahead following a handball decision against Ruben Dias. Hojlund, who now plays in Italy with Napoli, then scored twice in an eight-minute spell early in the second half, before Fulham defender Joachim Andersen headed in the fourth to put the visitors 4-0 ahead after 75 minutes.

Former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, now at Real Madrid, netted a consolation for Portugal in the third minute of added time with a close-range finish after Joao Neves had been denied. Portugal had won their opening four Nations League matches to secure their place in the quarter-finals and need to avoid defeat against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday, 17 November, to progress as group winners. Denmark host Norway on Tuesday with a three-point advantage in second place.