Denmark and Portugal go meet for Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, on Thursday, October 1, for UEFA Nations League 2026-27 Group A4 match. Kick-off na 8:45pm local time, 18:45 GMT. Al Jazeera Sport go bring build-up and live updates from 15:45 GMT. The match na match day three, and Portugal, wey be title holders, wan complete hat-trick of victories.
Portugal new coach Jorge Jesus name Cristiano Ronaldo on bench in the last game and he no bring him on. Questions still dey over whether the 41-year-old striker go feature for this fixture. But even as Ronaldo minutes dey managed during expanded international break, Portugal get other attacking options. Goncalo Ramos step up in the last match, and Joao Felix show say he be reliable asset.
Denmark no be small side. Rasmus Hojlund, Gustav Isaksen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg dey among their high-profile names. The UEFA Nations League start for 2018 to reduce meaningless friendlies and give nations competitive matches against top-ranked teams. Countries from across Europe dey participate for league structure wey get promotion and relegation.
Portugal lead Group A4 with six points. They beat Wales 1-0 for opening game, then win 2-1 away for Norway. Denmark sit second-bottom for group with three points after opening 3-2 away loss to Norway and 2-0 home win over Wales. The two sides last meet for March 2025 for Nations League quarterfinal second-leg fixture, and Portugal thrash Denmark 5-2. Trincao net twice, Ronaldo and Ramos get one goal each, and Joachim Andersen score own goal. Rasmus Kristensen and Christian Eriksen score for Denmark.
Last five games, latest results first: Denmark na W-L-D-D-W, Portugal na W-W-L-W-D. For Denmark, Gustav Isaksen and Hojlund dey danger. Lazio winger Isaksen player of the match performance in the last outing, and he score goal, so he be one to watch out for. Denmark striker Hojlund don score twice for Napoli this term, and he can pose threat to opposition defenders. For Portugal, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos dey among the men to watch. Felix score for both matches, against Wales and Norway, as the Al-Nassr striker prove say he be lethal presence for Portugal attack. AC Milan’s Ramos, wey start in place of Ronaldo in the last game, also strike, bringing up him 12th international goal.
Brian Riemer talk say e dey absurd to dey discuss whether Portugal better without Cristiano Ronaldo. “I believe that many people underestimate the importance he has in the Portuguese team. I even think that, the day he retires, Portugal will have a problem,” Riemer tell TV2 Sport. He yan say hierarchy dey inside team, with many strong personalities. Who go make decisions and set terms? E fit be big challenge. “Definitely, you shouldn’t underestimate Ronaldo’s importance when he plays. Portugal’s best team is with Ronaldo playing.”
Jorge Jesus defend him decision not to bring on Ronaldo during the win over Norway. “I had even agreed with him that he would come on in the last half hour, but the match did not require it,” Jesus tell Portuguese broadcaster RTP. “Goncalo Ramos was playing well. He had scored a goal and had another one ruled out. I felt it was not the right moment to substitute him. It was not to protect him physically, because he was in the condition to play as long as I wanted. The match followed its course, and it stopped being the opportune moment to bring on Cris. Instead, another player was necessary to guarantee balance and the result.”
Injury news dey for both camps. Left winger Patrick Dorgu injure him hamstring in the first half of the last game and he don return to him club, Manchester United. Denmark also go miss attacking midfielder Albert Gronbaek, wey out for few weeks with thigh injury. Portugal influential midfielder Bruno Fernandes dey sidelined with physical discomfort. Denmark expected lineup: F. Jorgensen, Kristensen, Andersen, Provstgaard, Maehle, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Isaksen, Damsgaard, Daramy, Hojlund. Portugal expected lineup: Costa, Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes, Vitinha, Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Leao, Ramos.
Denmark never taste defeat at Parken since Spain visit in November 2024. Portugal face side wey unbeaten in last 10 home games. Portugal visit Parken on Thursday night aiming to maintain perfect start to 2026/27 Nations League. They top Group A4 with six points from opening two fixtures, including impressive 2-1 victory over Norway. Denmark bounce back impressively from 3-2 defeat to Scandinavian rivals Norway with 2-0 win over Wales on Sunday. Brian Riemer expected to make few changes for visit of reigning Nations League champions. Albert Gronbaek thigh absent again for Thursday game. Riemer also without Andreas Christensen, Alexander Bah, Kasper Dolberg, Patrick Dorgu and William Osula.
New Portugal boss Jorge Jesus hardly fit ask for better start to managerial reign. Back-to-back Nations League wins don vindicate Portuguese hierarchy for dispensing with Roberto Martinez services this summer. Cristiano Ronaldo bench for Norway game, while Bruno Fernandes rest as he manage ongoing injury. Both expected return to fold at Parken. Portugal arrive Denmark after narrow win in Norway, where they second best for much of match. Bruno Fernandes miss trip to Norway through injury, leaving Portugal without one of key midfielders. Denmark especially difficult opponents on home soil. They unbeaten in last 10 games at Parken. They dominate Wales in Sunday 2-0 win, creating better chances before securing points. Portugal fortunate in Norway. They lose xG battle 2.52 to 1.04 but win match 2-1. Diogo Costa make several important saves to help Portugal hold on to win.
Early signs suggest Portugal unlikely to play expansive style under Jesus. They concede just one goal in opening two games in charge. Neither match produce high-scoring contest. Controlling possession central to him approach, allowing Portugal to make most of technical midfield. They prefer to dominate possession and slow tempo when they take lead. Diogo Costa also dey top form for goals. Denmark also tend to build up patiently rather than trading blows, especially against top European nations. Their goals against Wales both arrive after half-time. Neither side likely to open up early at Parken, so a 48% implied probability on two or fewer goals feel competitive. This get makings of tight, cautious contest.
Portugal already lead group after two wins. A draw in Copenhagen go be satisfactory result for Portugal. Denmark unlikely to take too many risks on home soil either. They held to goalless first half against Wales on Sunday before Riemer side break deadlock in 53rd minute. The Danes also get their 10-game unbeaten home run to protect. Main concern na Portugal tendency to score early. Felix strike in 22nd minute against Wales and in 17th in Oslo. A goalless first half carry implied probability of 30.3%, so odds appear to account for that risk.
Manager Brian Riemer formation na 4-2-3-1. Manager Jorge Jesus formation na 4-2-3-1. Mohamed Daramy of Denmark win free kick on left wing. Foul by Pedro Neto of Portugal. First Half begins. Lineups announced and players warming up.
