Norway took time to get the machinery going against Wales, but ended up winning clearly 3 – 1 after a strong second half. With goals by Andreas Schjelderup, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland.

While Norway distributed the goals among three players, most of it centred on Rasmus Hojlund, who has benefited from his time away from Old Trafford, for the Danes. Denmark is definitely ready to host Norway on Tuesday.

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Rasmus Højlund in the best shape of his life

The BBC’s headline is: Portugal crushed in Ronaldo’s first game after dismissal – Hojlund show shocked Braga

The evening was supposed to be about honouring a legend. Instead, it became a nightmare for Portugal. Rasmus Hojlund scored twice as Denmark outright ran over the hosts and won 4-0 in Braga’s festive atmosphere that quickly fell silent.

Rasmus Højlund was not surprisingly named the best player of the match! – Højlund, who came up to Copenhagen after Norway’s national team manager had left as head coach, was sold to Napoli this summer by Manchester United after a successful loan spell last season.

The Ronaldo honour that ended in tears

Portugal suffered a heavy defeat in their first game since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement – and it was former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund who became the man of the match with two goals.

Ronaldo, 41, scored 146 goals and made 234 appearances for his country – both world records – since his debut in 2003, winning the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player five times.

He resigned from the national team in a video posted on social media last week, although coach Jorge Jesus later said that Ronaldo would have been selected for the Nations League games against Denmark and Wales.

The iconic striker left Portugal’s camp in September after being told he would not start the first match against Denmark – resulting in a £215 fine and a 30-day suspension.

An entire arena honored the legend

Saturday’s match took place in Braga, with Portuguese fans and players paying tribute to Ronaldo in several ways:

• Each of the players and mascots walked out wearing a “Ronaldo 7” shirt
• The fans displayed the word “Ronaldo” on the top level and the letters “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) on the bottom level of one of the stands
• A banner translated as “thank you, captain” – with a similar message on the scoreboard in the seventh minute

But the party atmosphere fell flat to the ground when Denmark cruised in to a convincing victory.

The match: Denmark took complete control

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – a former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder – scored a penalty just before half-time and gave the visitors the lead after a hand decision against Rúben Dias.

Then Rasmus Hojlund, who now plays in Italy with Napoli, completely took over the show. He scored twice in an eight-minute period early in the second half.

Joachim Andersen – the Fulham defender – headed in the fourth to give the visitors 4-0 after 75 minutes.

Former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, now at Real Madrid, scored a consolation goal for Portugal in the third minute of added time with a close-range finish after João Neves had been denied.

Goal Overview

What does the result mean?

Portugal got a brutal reminder that football moves on – even after a legend. Now a game of destiny against Wales awaits, while Denmark returns home with a huge confidence boost before the meeting with Norway. ⚽🇩🇰

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