Portugal Suffers 4-1 Loss to Denmark Without Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal suffered a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in their League of Nations match on Saturday, November 15, at Braga. The team was already qualified for the next stage, but they struggled without Cristiano Ronaldo, who had announced his international retirement a few days earlier. The match was a significant test for Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese coach, who had faced tensions with Ronaldo in recent weeks.

The tensions between Jesus and Ronaldo had been evident since September 30, when the coach announced that the attacker would not start against Denmark in Copenhague. Ronaldo had then left the team, accusing Jesus of not respecting their agreement. Although Jesus had left the door open for Ronaldo's return in early October, the player's retirement announcement changed the dynamics.

Jesus was questioned about his regret of not having Ronaldo in the squad, and he responded with irony: "Regretter quoi ? Il n’est plus en équipe nationale, alors qu’est-ce qui manque ?" ("What to regret? He's no longer in the national team, so what's missing?"). He added that the only thing missing was Ronaldo's presence to keep him company.

On the field, Portugal's defense struggled, and Jesus acknowledged that his team was not solid defensively. He attributed Denmark's success to their direct marking and intense pressing, which neutralized Portugal's game. The coach also noted that his team's second attacker was unable to play between the lines, and they failed to gain dominance in the axis.

Denmark's strategy paid off, as their players found space and scored with two centers and two goals. Jesus expressed disappointment, saying that he thought his team could do better and improve, but they were unable to achieve it. The loss was a significant setback for Portugal, who will face Wales on Tuesday, November 17, in Cardiff.

Ronaldo had announced his international retirement on social media, stating that it was time for him to retire the number 7 jersey of the national team. His absence was felt during the match, and Jesus's comments added to the speculation surrounding their relationship. The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits.

The match was a reality check for Portugal, who had been expecting a more comfortable game. The team will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming match against Wales. Jesus will have to work on his team's defensive strategy and find a way to move forward without Ronaldo, who had been a key player for Portugal.

Key points

• Portugal lost 4-1 to Denmark in a League of Nations match without Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo had been involved in a public spat earlier in the year.
• Portugal will face Wales on Tuesday, November 17, in Cardiff.