Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 at Parken on Thursday, a day after Cristiano Ronaldo left the national team camp in Copenhagen. The win keeps them top of Nations League Group A4 with nine points from three games.
Ronaldo, 41, left on Wednesday after Jorge Jesus said Gonçalo Ramos would lead the attack. He has said he will explain his reasons in due course and has not announced an international retirement. Our earlier report sets out what is confirmed and what is only reported.
Three goals in 12 minutes
Ramos started up front and was involved in both of Portugal's first-half goals. João Cancelo opened the scoring after 13 minutes, finishing after a one-two with Ramos. Mikkel Damsgaard levelled on 23 minutes with a curling shot from a tight angle, after a cut-back from Joakim Mæhle. Two minutes later Ramos put Portugal back in front, finishing a pass from Bruno Fernandes. It was his second goal in four days, after scoring in the 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo.
Denmark equalised for a second time on 53 minutes. Damsgaard sent Rasmus Højlund through, and Højlund finished with his left foot before celebrating with Ronaldo's "Siu". Portugal went back ahead on 67 minutes when Fernandes delivered the ball into the area and Vitinha headed in at the near post. João Félix sealed it on 87 minutes, finishing a counterattack for his third goal of the campaign.
Fernandes behind two of the four
Fernandes was involved in half of Portugal's goals, creating the second for Ramos and the third for Vitinha. Ramos scored once and set up Cancelo, and Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept Denmark in the game with saves from him and from Rúben Neves.
Denmark never led and are on three points from their three games. Portugal, who have won all three matches since Jesus succeeded Roberto Martínez after the World Cup, host Norway at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto on Sunday.
