NATIONS LEAGUE: PORTUGAL BEAT DENMARK 4-2 DESPITE RONALDO’S ABSENCE
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Portugal put the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure behind them as they defeated Denmark 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday.
Joao Felix sealed the victory late in the second half after Denmark twice fought back to level the scores.
Ronaldo’s sudden departure from Portugal’s training camp on Wednesday dominated the pre-match build-up, but coach Jorge Jesus said before kick-off that he wanted his team “to focus on the match.”
His players showed little sign of being distracted by the controversy surrounding the 41-year-old’s departure after Jesus announced that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark.
Portugal’s all-time leading scorer had spent the entire 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on the bench on Sunday, having captained the team in their 1-0 home win over Wales last Thursday.
“Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.
“In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated.”
Jesus said on Thursday, “After (the match), we’ll definitely have time to talk about” the situation.
On the pitch, Joao Cancelo put Portugal ahead after 13 minutes, but Mikkel Damsgaard restored parity 10 minutes later with a curling effort.
Goncalo Ramos restored Portugal’s advantage just two minutes after Denmark’s equaliser, rewarding Jesus’s decision to start him again with a clever near-post finish.
Rasmus Hojlund levelled for Denmark early in the second half, but Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha headed Portugal back in front in the 57th minute.
Substitute Felix then completed a swift counter-attack three minutes from time to secure the victory and hand new coach Jesus a third win in his opening three matches.
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