Result

Portugal thrashed 4-1 by Denmark

In debut after Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement, Portuguese national team suffers historic defeat at home in the Nations League

November 15, 2026

The Portugal national team suffered a harsh 4-1 defeat against Denmark in the Nations League, marking the beginning of a new era.

Historic defeat at the start of a new phase

In the first commitment after Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the national team, Portugal had a tough night in front of its crowd. As reported by ESPN FC, the 4-1 defeat to Denmark represented the team's biggest competitive defeat as host in its entire history. The match, valid for the fifth round of Group 4 of the Nations League and played at the Estádio de Braga, broke the expectation of a positive start without its legendary captain.

Tributes to the number 7 jersey before the initial whistle

The match had a tribute atmosphere to Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended his international career with expressive numbers. According to The Guardian Football, the striker accumulated 146 goals and three important titles throughout 246 games and 23 years defending the country's colors. As a way to immortalize this legacy, the Portuguese federation announced a permanent change in the design of the number 7 jersey to keep the number eternally associated with the player.

Impact on the field and upcoming challenges

Despite the festive atmosphere around the idol, the performance on the field did not correspond to the moment of celebration. According to Trivela, the pre-match festivities were not enough to boost the team against Denmark's efficient offense. Without the presence of its main offensive reference of the last decades, Portugal now needs quick adjustments to rediscover the collective balance in the sequence of the European competition.

Sources

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