Roberto Martinez's side came up short on Thursday despite their goalkeeper saving a penalty and producing two more superb stops
Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final with Denmark as Rasmus Hojlund's strike proved the difference in Copenhagen despite Diogo Costa's heroics in goal for the visitors.
Costa did get away with one early when his attempted clearance rebounded back towards goal off Mika Biereth, but the Porto shot-stopper recovered well. At the other end, Kasper Schmeichel had to be a full stretch to palm Pedro Neto's effort from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.
The home side began to look more dangerous after the first 20 minutes, and won a penalty when Renato Veiga blocked Christian Eriksen's goal-bound volley with his hand. Costa, though, was equal to the Manchester United midfielder's spot-kick as he dived away to his right to save.
Not to be deterred, the home side cranked up the heat, and Costa had to be at his best to turn a low Biereth effort away from the bottom corner, while Diogo Dalot blocked an Eriksen tap-in on the line. At the other end, Ronaldo sent one weak header wide as he cut an increasingly upset figure.
Costa was called upon again early in the second half when he saved well from Gustav Isaksen before Hojlund pulled an effort wide shortly after being introduced from the bench. He was, however, not to be denied, and the United man finished off an excellent team move before replicating Ronaldo's famed 'SIUUU' celebration.
GOAL rates Portugal's players from Parken…
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Diogo Costa (8/10):
Survived an early scare after he cleared straight into Biereth, but more than made up for that with his fine penalty save. Got down excellently to deny Biereth and Isaksen thereafter in a superb display of shot-stopping. Had no chance with the goal, it should be pointed out.
Diogo Dalot (5/10):
Most of Denmark's best attacks came down his side as he was made to look slow and lacking in energy. Did make one goal-saving clearance to deny Eriksen, though.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Marshalled the backline to the best of his ability. Made excellent blocks to deny Lundstram and Isaksen either side of half-time.
Renato Veiga (4/10):
Was very lucky that his bizarre handball wasn't punished by Eriksen from the penalty spot, and didn't look comfortable aside from when challenging for the ball in the air.
Nuno Mendes (5/10):
Struggled to deal with Isaksen's pace and direct dribbling. Contributed to a couple of attacks going the other way, but not the impact he would have wanted.
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Vitinha (6/10):
Probably Portugal's best outfield player in the first half, as he always seemed to have time even in the tightest of midfield spots. Faded after the break, however, as he picked up a booking and wasted a decent chance to open the scoring.
Joao Neves (4/10):
Nowhere near the level we've seen from him at club level. Couldn't get a grip on the game at all, and even failed to track the less-than-mobile Eriksen on a couple of occasions.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10):
Didn't lack for effort, but just couldn't quite create an opening in the way he has been doing for Manchester United of late.
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Pedro Neto (6/10):
Produced a couple of dangerous dribbles and stung Schmeichel's palm early on with a long-range effort, but faded as the game wore on.
Cristiano Ronaldo (4/10):
Continues to be a passenger when Portugal come up against decent opposition. Put one weak header wide on an otherwise uneventful evening for the veteran skipper.
Rafael Leao (6/10):
Left Kristensen for dead on more than one occasion, but his final ball was sometimes lacking. Portugal probably should have tried to get him involved more.
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Nelson Semedo (4/10):
Replaced Dalot for the final quarter of the match but was run ragged by Isaksen after the winger switched flanks.
Ruben Neves (5/10):
Brought on to add some solidity to midfield, only for Portugal to concede almost immediaely.
Goncalo Inacio (5/10):
On for Veiga was struggled to get up to the speed of the game, which led to two chances for Hojlund, the second of which he took.
Bernardo Silva (N/A):
On for the final five minutes.
Roberto Martinez (3/10):
His team were dominated for much of the game, and his substitutions did little to stem the tide. His continued faith in Ronaldo, meanwhile, looks more than a little misplaced…
