Denmark thrash Portugal 4-1 in Braga as Højlund scores twice
A Højbjerg penalty, two goals from Højlund and one from Andersen: Denmark run riot in Nations League Group A4. Bernardo Silva's stoppage-time goal is no consolation.
Denmark won 4-1 in Braga to produce one of the most surprising results of the Nations League evening. Rasmus Højlund was the star, scoring twice in eight minutes at the start of the second half.
Højbjerg's penalty, then Højlund takes over
The deadlock was broken on 43 minutes when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg converted a penalty to send Denmark in ahead at the break. The second half could not have started worse for the hosts: Højlund scored on 49 minutes and again on 57, effectively ending the contest. Joachim Andersen added a fourth on 75 minutes.
Bernardo Silva grabbed a consolation for Portugal deep into stoppage time, on 93 minutes. In the same group, Norway beat Wales 3-1.
More of the ball for Portugal, more ruthlessness from Denmark
The numbers suggest a closer game than the score: Portugal had more possession (52%) and more shots on target (8 to 6), but Denmark were far more clinical. Portugal also committed 19 fouls to Denmark's 4, with Rúben Dias and João Palhinha both booked.
Stats
| Stat | Portugal | Denmark |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 15 | 17 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 6 |
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Corners | 6 | 7 |
| Fouls | 19 | 4 |
| Offsides | 5 | 1 |
| Saves | 1 | 7 |
| Pass accuracy | 84% | 82% |
Scorers
- 43'Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark), penalty
- 49'Rasmus Højlund (Denmark)
- 57'Rasmus Højlund (Denmark)
- 75'Joachim Andersen (Denmark)
- 90'+3'Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
Bookings and dismissals
- 46'🟨 Rúben Dias (Portugal), booked
- 87'🟨 João Palhinha (Portugal), booked
Line-ups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): D. Costa; A. Costa, Dias, Veiga, Dalot; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Félix, Fernandes; Ramos.
Substitutions: 64' Francisco Trincão for Pedro Neto; 64' João Palhinha for Rúben Neves; 64' Carlos Forbs for João Félix; 79' Bernardo Silva for Bruno Fernandes; 83' João Neves for Vitinha.
Denmark (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Bah, Andersen, Provstgaard, Maehle; Hjulmand, Højbjerg; Isaksen, Damsgaard, Daramy; Højlund.
Substitutions: 66' Andreas Skov Olsen for Gustav Isaksen; 66' Mathias Jensen for Mikkel Damsgaard; 73' William Osula for Rasmus Højlund; 73' Victor Froholdt for Mohamed Daramy; 82' Victor Nelsson for Joachim Andersen.