Hojlund got here off the bench to web the winner as his facet beat Portugal 1-0 within the first leg of their Nations League quarterfinal.
Rasmus Hojlund earned Denmark a deserved 1-0 lead over Portugal of their Nations League quarterfinal first-leg conflict.
The Manchester United ahead delivered from the bench to separate the groups in Copenhagen on Thursday, offering the final touch Denmark beforehand lacked on an evening the place they dominated Roberto Martinez’s facet.
The Spanish coach chosen veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, upfront, however the Al Nassr striker was principally frozen out of the sport.
Winners of the inaugural event in 2019, Portugal are aiming to change into the primary group to elevate the Nations League trophy for a second time.
Nevertheless, they might want to enhance swiftly to succeed in the semifinals as Denmark outclassed them and will have scored extra on the night time.
Searching for their first win below coach Brian Riemer, who was appointed in October, the Danes have been with out injured captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Denmark piled on the strain from the beginning, with debutant Mika Biereth charging down Diogo Costa’s clearance, however the goalkeeper managed to flee by conceding solely a nook.
Jesper Lindstrom pressured Costa into motion once more with an effort from a distance, whereas Pedro Neto examined Kasper Schmeichel on the different finish.
The hosts gained a penalty when Portugal defender Renato Veiga dealt with the ball however Costa produced an outstanding save to disclaim Christian Eriksen.
The Porto goalkeeper, an professional in saving spot kicks, dived low to his proper to thwart the Manchester United midfielder.
Costa made one other gorgeous save from Biereth to maintain his group degree, as Denmark turned the screw.
When the hosts lastly beat Costa, Diogo Dalot was in the precise place on the proper time to clear Eriksen’s effort off the road simply earlier than the break, after good work by Gustav Isaksen.
Riemer’s facet stayed on high within the second half, with Costa saving an Eriksen free kick, though Vitinha got here shut for Portugal, who confirmed occasional flashes of their high quality on an in any other case torpid show.
Isaksen, a relentless menace for Denmark, had a shot deflected behind as Denmark began to worry their dominance wouldn’t translate right into a lead. Nevertheless, Hojlund, on instead, had different concepts.
The striker, who ended a protracted Manchester United drought final weekend by scoring in his group’s win at Leicester Metropolis, broke the impasse by slotting house to cap a positive transfer.
Eriksen unfold the ball to a different substitute, Andreas Skov Olsen, who picked out Hojlund with a low ball to complete coolly within the 78th minute.
Portugal’s Bernardo Silva, making his 99th look for his nation, had a penalty enchantment late on waved away after falling below strain from Patrick Dorgu within the field, and Schmeichel saved from Neto within the last phases.
Portugal host Denmark within the second leg in Lisbon on Sunday, with the winner taking part in both Germany or Italy within the semifinal.
Germany got here from behind to defeat Italy 2-1 on the San Siro on Thursday within the first leg of their Nations League quarterfinal, with Leon Goretzka heading the successful aim 14 minutes from time.
European champions Spain salvaged their two-year unbeaten streak within the dying minutes of their quarterfinal first leg, denying 10-man Netherlands a well-known victory with a 2-2 draw.
Mikel Merino broke Dutch hearts within the third minute of added time, to take care of an unbeaten run that now stretches to 22 aggressive video games.
In the meantime, Ivan Perisic scored one aim and made one other as Croatia beat France 2-0 on Thursday to grab the higher hand within the first leg of their quarterfinal tie.
