For one night, Portugal and Jorge Jesus can put the Cristiano Ronaldo affair to one side and enjoy a Seleção that has now claimed its third win in three Nations League matches, a competition in which, it should be remembered, Portugal are the reigning champions. The trip to Scandinavia also brought the best out of Gonçalo Ramos, the AC Milan striker, who scored again after netting the winner in Norway against Haaland and company. It had been nine months, dating back to his time at PSG, since the Portuguese centre-forward had scored in two consecutive matches. A sign that Jesus’s faith in him is paying off. Amorim will be grateful and hopeful.
As for the 'CR7 affair', Ronaldo is in Madrid considering his options. He now risks a suspension of between one and six months from his federation, but at this point he could also decide to bring his international career to an end himself. Yesterday, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also contacted him, attempting yet another mediation effort involving Jesus and federation president Proença. Madeira’s governor, Miguel Albuquerque, also weighed in on the matter, unsurprisingly defending his fellow islander. In short, it has become a national issue, writes 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'.
In Spain, meanwhile, Edu Aguirre, a journalist and close friend of Cristiano Ronaldo, said that on Tuesday there had been a confrontation involving the striker, Jesus and Proença, including at Copenhagen airport before Cristiano boarded a private flight to Madrid. Ronaldo’s complaint against the coach is that Jesus had privately admitted he was wrong to make him warm up during the match against Norway without eventually bringing him on, and that Jesus had supposedly agreed to acknowledge the mistake publicly at the press conference as well. That, however, never happened. This reportedly triggered the fury of "the Great No. 7," who then left the national-team camp. "Cristiano Ronaldo exploded; he felt betrayed."
The line-ups and opening stages...
Compared with the match in Oslo, the Portuguese coach made changes in midfield, replacing João Neves of PSG with Rúben Neves and bringing in Vitinha for Palhinha. Juventus winger Chico Conceição remained unavailable through injury, while João Félix was also carrying a knock. Rafa Leão, the former Milan player now at Galatasaray, started instead, wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt. Captain Bruno Fernandes also returned, and his comeback proved crucial.
For Denmark, who had beaten Wales, there was a change in goal, with West Ham reserve goalkeeper Hermansen coming in. Lazio winger Isaksen dropped out in favour of Hoffenheim’s 21-year-old Daghim, while the injured Dorgu was replaced by Daramy of Reims. Froholdt, coached by the Portuguese Francesco Farioli at club level, was once again left out.
After around ten minutes of cautious play, Gonçalo Ramos struck the post in the 12th minute after a touch from Fernandes. One minute later, Cancelo won the ball back on the edge of the box, exchanged passes with Gonçalo, burst in from the left and beat the Danish defence to make it 1–0.
In the 21st minute, former Milan winger Leão threatened with a right-footed effort from the left, which goalkeeper Hermansen turned behind at his near post. Two minutes later, Denmark equalised through former Sampdoria player Damsgaard, who curled a right-footed shot into the net from the edge of the area after an assist from Mæhle and a run down the left by Daramy.
But just two minutes later Gonçalo Ramos struck again, scoring for the second successive match after his goal against Norway. Bruno Fernandes played a brilliant pass, and the Milan striker entered the area and finished with the outside of his left foot. It was his 13th goal in 30 international appearances. Ramos had not scored in two consecutive matches since December 2025, when he was still at PSG.
Second half
Isaksen came on for Denmark but had little impact. In the eighth minute of the second half, Napoli striker Højlund equalised, scoring his 15th international goal. Damsgaard spotted a channel with an excellent pass, and the Napoli forward exploited it before finishing with a delicate dink.
But in the 22nd minute, Vitinha made it 3–2 with a header. Despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, he was picked out in the area by Bruno Fernandes and scored his first international goal in his 46th appearance.
Then, in the 42nd minute, substitute João Félix made it 4–2. Dalot broke quickly down the right on the counter-attack and found the former Milan player inside the penalty area.
Jesus commented afterwards: "Ronaldo? The matter is closed. But he is a symbol. That is not in question."
