Højlund double powers Denmark to 4–1 victory in Portugal

AI-generated illustration.

Rasmus Højlund scored twice as Denmark defeated Portugal 4–1 in Braga on Saturday, strengthening their position in the Nations League quarter-final race. The visitors scored three times after the break before Bernardo Silva supplied a late consolation.

Portugal remain top of Group A4 on 12 points and are already assured of a place in the last eight. Denmark have nine, Norway six and Wales three heading into Tuesday’s final round of league-phase matches.

The breakthrough came shortly before half-time. After an earlier Højlund header had been disallowed, another aerial attempt struck Rúben Dias’ hand. A video review led to a penalty, which Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg converted.

Højlund doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half, meeting a delivery from the right with a volley after good work by Gustav Isaksen. He scored again seven minutes later, cutting inside Renato Veiga and firing past Diogo Costa.

Joachim Andersen added Denmark’s fourth in the 75th minute, heading in a Mathias Jensen free-kick. Silva’s close-range finish in added time reduced the deficit but could not alter the outcome.

The match was Portugal’s first since Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international football. Players wore shirts bearing his name and number during the anthem, while supporters displayed a tribute before kick-off.

Norway kept their own quarter-final hopes alive by beating Wales 3–1 in Oslo. Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup put the hosts two goals ahead; David Brooks replied before Erling Haaland’s late penalty secured the win.

Denmark will host Norway on Tuesday, 17 November, with the second qualifying place still to be settled. Portugal travel to Wales on the same evening as they seek to finish their group campaign in first place.

Sources

• UEFA: Official Matchday 5 report, results and remaining Nations League fixtures (2026-11-14)
• Reuters via The Star: Independent Portugal–Denmark report and Group A4 standings (2026-11-14)