Portugal brush aside Ronaldo drama to sink Denmark in six-goal thriller

Cristiano Ronaldo abruptly walked out of the Portugal camp just before kick-off following new manager Jorge Jesus's decision to bench him. The 41-year-old superstar's rebellion plunged the Selecao into a massive media storm ahead of their clash with Denmark.

However, on the Parken pitch, Ronaldo's teammates silenced the doubters with a dramatic 4-2 victory over the hosts. Gonçalo Ramos, starting in place of CR7, alongside João Cancelo, Vitinha, and João Félix, all found the net to secure a breathless three points.

The result maintains Portugal's perfect start of three consecutive wins in Nations League Group A4, keeping them top with nine points. Jorge Jesus's side weathering the storm proves they are ready for a new era, free from their reliance on Ronaldo.

Ronaldo scandal storm and the Selecao's defiant response

New manager Jorge Jesus's decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo prompted the 41-year-old superstar to pack his bags and leave the camp ahead of the match. This came after he was left as an unused substitute for the entirety of the previous fixture against Norway.

Handed the starting berth, Gonçalo Ramos shone brightly, scoring to make it 2-1 and setting up João Cancelo's opener. The young striker's energetic display proved he is more than capable of leading the line.

Ronaldo's absence inadvertently lifted a weight off the team's shoulders, allowing Portugal's collective play to flow with greater fluidity and efficiency. Free from his shadow, the Selecao dominated proceedings, registering 19 shots and 13 touches inside the opposition box.

A breathless six-goal thriller and the Bruno Fernandes show

The clash at the Parken Stadium turned into a breathless encounter, with João Cancelo opening the scoring in the 13th minute and Gonçalo Ramos restoring the lead at 2-1 in the 25th. The drama peaked in the 53rd minute when Rasmus Højlund equalised to make it 2-2 for Denmark, boldly mimicking Ronaldo's iconic "Siu" celebration on home turf.

However, Bruno Fernandes quickly dampened the hosts' spirits with a masterclass performance, earning an 8.6 Sofascore rating. The playmaker registered two assists and created three big chances, setting up Vitinha (67') and João Félix (87') to seal a clinical 4-2 victory for Portugal.

Dominant stats and perfect group-stage start for Portugal

Portugal stifled Denmark with absolute statistical dominance at the Parken fortress. The visitors unleashed 19 shots, with 10 on target, completely eclipsing the hosts' meager tally of just three attempts throughout the match.

The Expected Goals (xG) metric accurately reflected the gulf in class, with the Selecao registering 2.74 xG compared to Denmark's modest 0.67. This tactical superiority allowed Jorge Jesus's men to comfortably dismantle any resistance from the home side.

This convincing victory keeps Portugal firmly at the top of Nations League Group A4. The Selecao have taken a maximum nine points from three matches, asserting their dominance and putting one foot in the knockout stages.

Editorial verdict

The 4-2 triumph in Copenhagen proves that Portugal can thrive and look forward to a promising future without Cristiano Ronaldo. The fluid, front-foot attacking style implemented by Jorge Jesus suggests the Selecao are ready to embrace a new era, free from the towering influence of the 41-year-old superstar.

What are your thoughts on Ronaldo's decision to walk out after being benched, and is his era with the Selecao officially over?