Portugal vs Denmark Player Ratings: Hojbjerg 8.9/10 as De Rod-Hvide Rout Selecao Without Ronaldo

Quick Summary Table

Portugal’s first match since Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement ended in a 4-1 home defeat, their first in this season’s Nations League after four straight wins. Denmark, who had lost four of their last five meetings with Portugal, scored through a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg penalty on 43 minutes, two Rasmus Hojlund goals and a Joachim Andersen header. Bernardo Silva, Portugal’s new full-time captain, came on at 79 and scored a consolation on 90 that denied Denmark national football team a clean sheet.

Hojbjerg tops the player ratings at 8.9/10 as man of the match. He smashed in the penalty after VAR spotted a Ruben Dias handball, started the move for Hojlund’s first with a cross-field pass and threaded the ball for his second. Portugal national football team had just 0.45 xG by the 75th minute, and Goncalo Ramos had only eight touches in the first half.

Dias’s 4.5/10 makes him the worst player on the pitch, after the handball and a second-half booking for a high challenge on Mikkel Damsgaard. Portugal have conceded four goals in the first 15 minutes of second halves this season, more than any other team in the competition. Denmark now head to a winner-takes-all clash in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Check out the Portugal vs Denmark player ratings.

Denmark National Football Team Player Ratings vs Portugal

Have a look at the Denmark national football team player ratings from the Portugal vs Denmark player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mads Hermansen - 7.5: We felt Hermansen radiated calm all night. He faced several tricky efforts from distance, especially from Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, and handled them with clean technique. Four saves, including one low stop to his left, underlined his concentration. His distribution was bold, maybe too bold once, as that error leading to a shot showed. Still, 18 long balls and seven recoveries tell us he kept Denmark on the front foot.

Defenders

Alexander Bah - 6.5: Bah’s night had a few rough edges, and we noticed one sloppy moment that led to a shot. Yet he competed hard, winning most of his duels and offering width on the right. His passing was tidy, with over 80% accuracy and some sensible backward recycling. Defensively, he chipped in with a clearance and a couple of interventions, rarely getting roasted one-v-one. From our perspective he looked solid rather than spectacular, but in a 4-0 away win that is plenty.

Joachim Andersen - 8: This felt like a classic modern centre-back performance topped with a centre-forward’s finish. Andersen headed in Denmark’s fourth with real conviction, attacking Mathias Jensen’s delivery like a seasoned striker. We noticed how aggressive he was in his clearances, four in total, constantly attacking the ball. His long passing, eight attempts and three successful, stretched Portugal whenever they dared step up. Yes, he gave away a couple of fouls and lost some duels, but his leadership at the back was obvious.

Oliver Provstgaard - 7.5: Provstgaard quietly produced the sort of performance coaches absolutely love. Seven clearances, a blocked shot and multiple defensive headers showed his penalty-box dominance. We noticed his positioning on set plays, always attacking the first ball with conviction. On the ball, he was steady enough, with 36 accurate passes out of 46 attempts. He did concede some corners by playing it safe, but that felt like deliberate game management.

Joakim Maehle - 6.5: Maehle’s display was a bit of a mixed bag for us. Defensively, he read the game well, making two interceptions and three clearances on that left side. Going forward, he still found time to get into shooting positions and combine in the final third. However, 13 possessions lost and one big chance missed highlight the inconsistency. His crossing and final ball did not always match his energetic runs.

Midfielders

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg - 8.9: As captain, Højbjerg set the emotional and tactical tone from the first whistle. He calmly buried the pressure penalty to give Denmark the lead, then added a lovely assist for Højlund’s second. We noticed how often he dropped between the centre-backs to organise the build-up. Fifty accurate passes, eight into the final third, underline his control of tempo. Defensively, he contributed clearances, tackles and constant pressing that frustrated Portugal’s midfield.

Morten Hjulmand - 7.5: Hjulmand brought an understated authority in the middle. His passing was near-flawless, 41 of 43 completed, which we really noticed in the live flow. He stepped in with three interceptions and two clearances, constantly plugging gaps around the box. Offensively, he wasn’t shy either, registering a couple of shots and a blocked effort. His positioning on second balls kept Denmark compact and difficult to break through.

Mohamed Daramy - 7.5: Even without a slug, Daramy absolutely deserves praise. He tortured Portugal’s right side with his direct dribbling, winning four fouls and completing four of six take-ons. We noticed him repeatedly tracking back, making one clean tackle and several recoveries on that flank. Thirteen possessions lost feel high, but that came from constant risk-taking in advanced zones. His duels record, 11 wins from 13, screamed intensity and confidence.

Gustav Isaksen - 7: Isaksen’s energy really jumped off the screen for us. He delivered three key passes and created a big chance, constantly looking to attack Diogo Costa’s goal. His crossing was inconsistent, one accurate from five attempts, yet the intent mattered. Defensively, he put in real work, recording four recoveries and drawing fouls that slowed Portugal. His shot on target in the first half forced a solid stop from Costa.

Mikkel Damsgaard - 8: This felt like the Damsgaard we all remember from earlier tournaments. Three key passes, a big chance created, and a clever headed assist for Højlund all highlighted his craft. We noticed him constantly drifting into pockets, linking midfield and attack with real intelligence. His passing accuracy, sitting at 85%, showed tidy execution under pressure. Out of possession, he even chipped in with a successful tackle and solid pressing.

Forwards

Rasmus Højlund - 8.8: For us, Rasmus Højlund was comfortably one of the highest-rated players on the pitch. His brace came from classic centre-forward play, one left-foot finish and one composed right-foot strike. We noticed how relentlessly he attacked crosses and direct balls, winning three aerial duels and constantly unsettling Rúben Dias. Five shots, two on target and three blocked, show how central he was to Denmark’s threat. His hold-up play also helped relieve pressure, drawing fouls and linking runners.

Substitutes

Andreas Skov Olsen - 6.5: Coming on for Isaksen, Skov Olsen slotted into the right side without fuss. He helped Denmark maintain their attacking balance, even if he didn’t register major chances. We noticed his willingness to track runners and close down Portugal’s full-backs. His pressing contributed to Portugal’s rushed build-up in the closing stages.

Mathias Jensen - 7: Jensen immediately made his mark from the bench. His cross for Andersen’s header was inch-perfect, a classic set-piece delivery. We noticed how composed he looked on the ball, rarely forcing play. He added another blocked shot from range, showing confidence to shoot from distance. Defensively, he helped Denmark see out the game with solid positioning.

Victor Kristiansen / Victor Fröholdt (role) - 6.5: Fröholdt came on to add steel and control in midfield. We saw him drop into deeper pockets, offering passing options under pressure. Even if the stats don’t leap off the page, his presence stabilised Denmark’s structure. He helped shut down central spaces where Portugal tried to combine.

William Osula - 6.5: Osula entered for Højlund and immediately brought fresh running into the channels. He even won a free-kick on the right wing, keeping Portugal pinned back. We noticed how keen he was to press Portugal’s defenders, not letting them build calmly. His touch was generally secure, helping Denmark hold possession high up the pitch.

Manager

B. Riemer - 8: From our perspective, Riemer produced a near-perfect tactical plan. Denmark’s pressing triggers were clear and consistent, especially on Portugal’s double pivot. His decision to trust an aggressive front line paid off in a big way. The timing of his substitutions also impressed us, as fresh legs arrived before any drop-off. He kept the team emotionally balanced even after going 3-0 and 4-0 up. Honestly, this felt like a statement coaching performance in the UEFA Nations League context.

Portugal National Football Team Player Ratings vs Denmark

Here are the Portugal national football team player ratings from the Portugal vs Denmark player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Diogo Costa - 5: This was a rough night for Costa, even if not every goal was his fault. He conceded four from relatively few clear-cut Danish chances, which always looks bad. We noticed some hesitancy on crosses and a couple of awkward parries. With only one recorded save, he never really had the chance to redeem the scoreline. His distribution was also erratic, 13 accurate passes from 25 attempts and many long balls wasted.

Defenders

Diogo Dalot - 6: Dalot was one of the few Portuguese defenders who didn’t completely unravel. He won most of his duels, including three out of three in the air, and made five clearances. We noticed his willingness to step up and intercept, trying to break Danish attacks early. Offensively, he offered limited thrust, with only one cross and a couple of final-third passes. Still, his body language stayed positive even as the scoreline worsened.

Rúben Dias - 4.5: This might be one of Dias’ poorest games in a Portugal shirt. He conceded the crucial handball penalty that opened the scoring, and the yellow card right after halftime summed up his frustration. We noticed him repeatedly mistiming challenges, giving away four fouls and looking a step slow. Despite strong passing numbers, his duels record, just two wins from seven, was worrying. Højlund seemed to relish every battle against him, which tells its own story.

Renato Veiga - 6: Veiga had a mixed but interesting night at the back. On one hand, he blocked four shots and made three clearances, which we really noticed live. Those interventions kept the scoreline from becoming even more embarrassing at times. His passing was secure, 45 accurate from 50, and he tried to step into midfield occasionally. However, he gave away fouls and struggled at moments with Denmark’s physicality.

Alberto Costa - 5.5: Costa’s performance reflected Portugal’s general chaos on that flank. He did some good things, including a few clearances, one key pass, and steady dribbling forward. But he conceded multiple corners and free-kicks, which kept Denmark dangerously advanced. We noticed his body language dip as Daramy kept driving at him. Sixteen possessions lost underline his struggles under pressure.

Midfielders

Rúben Neves - 6: Neves tried to keep Portugal ticking but was swamped by Denmark’s aggression. He completed 42 of 47 passes, including 11 into the final third, which we appreciated. However, he lost six of eight duels and committed two fouls, often chasing shadows. His long-range shot forced a save, but otherwise he struggled to dictate tempo.

Vitinha - 6.5: Vitinha actually started brightly in our eyes. His early shot forced a good save from Hermansen, and he kept the ball moving crisply. Forty-six accurate passes out of 49 underline how clean his distribution remained. Yet he lost all three duels and committed several fouls, which broke Portugal’s rhythm. We noticed him dropping deeper and deeper as Denmark’s press intensified.

Bruno Fernandes - 7: Bruno’s numbers were decent, and he looked like the one Portuguese player trying to drag things forward. Four key passes, multiple dangerous crosses, and two assists-for-shots highlighted his creative output. His right-footed effort near the end forced another smart save from Hermansen. We noticed his frustration with teammates’ movement and decision-making, constantly gesturing for sharper runs. Defensively, he even tracked back, registering a tackle and a clearance.

Pedro Neto - 6: Neto had flashes but never truly caught fire. His one shot on target was well-struck, testing Hermansen from range. He completed 18 of 24 passes and tried a couple of crosses, but end product was limited. Thirteen possessions lost and six duels lost told the harsher side of his evening. We noticed how often he ended up isolated, with little support overlapping.

João Félix - 5.5: Félix drifted in and out of the game too much for our liking. His one shot was blocked, and his offside run killed a promising attack. He did link play at times, completing 17 of 21 passes with some neat touches. But he lost five of six duels and committed a couple of unnecessary fouls. We noticed his frustration, yet not enough aggression in his response.

Forwards

Gonçalo Ramos - 5.5: Ramos had a thankless task leading the line in such a disjointed side. He touched the ball only 19 times and never managed a serious shot on goal. We noticed him trying to battle physically, but he lost most of his duels and aerials. His hold-up play rarely stuck, which meant Portugal couldn’t build through him. One drawn foul was about the only moment he genuinely imposed himself.

Substitutes

João Palhinha - 6: Palhinha at least brought some bite after coming on. He had a shot blocked in the box and tried to push the team forward. Defensively he snapped into tackles and duels, though without really changing Denmark’s dominance. We noticed his attempts to rally teammates, constantly talking and gesturing. From our perspective he arrived too late to alter the narrative meaningfully.

Trincão - 6: Trincão’s cameos always feel a bit chaotic, and this one was similar. He had two left-footed chances, one over and one narrowly wide, showing his willingness to shoot. We noticed him drifting inside, trying to combine with Vitinha and Bernardo. His pressing was energetic but sometimes positionally loose. From our perspective he added threat but not composure.

Carlos Forbs - 6: Forbs brought pace and direct running, which Portugal badly needed by that stage. He created a chance for Bruno with a neat layoff and had one offside moment. We noticed how eager he was to receive between the lines and drive at defenders. Still, Denmark’s structure swallowed most of his attempts to break through. From our perspective his cameo hinted at potential, but the game-state was already gone.

Bernardo Silva - 6.5: Bernardo only had around ten minutes, yet his quality showed instantly. His touches were crisp and his movement intelligent, even in a broken game. We noticed him trying to speed up circulation and drag defenders out of position. Unfortunately, by then Denmark were content just to sit in and break. From our perspective he should probably have entered earlier.

Manager

J. Pinheiro de Jesus - 5: From our perspective, this was a tactical and emotional off-night for Portugal’s coach. The team never looked comfortable playing out under Denmark’s press. Adjustments came, but they felt reactive rather than proactive. The midfield balance never truly worked, leaving the defence exposed repeatedly. Substitutions sparked some energy yet did not repair the structural issues. In a 4-0 home defeat, it is impossible to escape a low rating.

Portugal vs Denmark Man of the Match: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (8.9/10)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg earned Man of the Match with an 8.9 rating. In the 43rd minute, he smashed his penalty into the top-left corner (0.79 xG) after VAR spotted Dias’s handball. His cross-field pass began the move for Hojlund’s first, and on 57 he played the throughball for Hojlund’s second. He also intercepted a Dalot pass in the 24th minute.

Worst Player in Portugal vs Denmark: Ruben Dias (4.5/10)

Portugal defender Ruben Dias was the lowest-rated player on the pitch at 4.5/10. VAR showed his arm steering Hojlund’s header back to Diogo Costa, and the referee awarded the penalty Hojbjerg scored on 43. He was booked on 46 for a high challenge on Damsgaard. He did make a well-timed tackle on Daramy in the 13th minute.