In a stunning display of resilience, Portugal achieved a remarkable comeback against Denmark, securing their place in the Nations League Final Four. Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming for his third international trophy, expressed his excitement following Portugal’s qualification.
Facing a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, Portugal fought back to claim a 5-2 aggregate victory in extra time, thus advancing to the Final Four set for June.
Ronaldo played a pivotal role in this comeback, netting a crucial goal in the 72nd minute. After a shot from Bruno Fernandes hit the post and deflected off goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Ronaldo was quick to capitalize on the rebound, equalizing the match and rejuvenating Portugal’s hopes. Following the match, Ronaldo took to social media to share his pride and joy regarding the team’s achievement.
“What a night, Portugal!” Ronaldo posted on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, including images capturing the moment of qualification and his celebratory reaction—a celebration he had anticipated after Denmark’s Rasmus Hojlund imitated Ronaldo’s iconic gesture during the first game.
Before the match, Ronaldo was recognized with a Guinness World Record for the most international wins in history, further extending his all-time goal tally with Portugal to 136 goals in 219 appearances. Looking ahead, Ronaldo’s Portugal is set to face Germany in the Nations League semifinals on June 4th, as Germany advanced after a tight 5-4 aggregate win over Italy.
Concerns Arise from Ronaldo’s Dialogue with Martinez
One notable incident during the match occurred in the 90+1 minute when coach Roberto Martinez opted to substitute Ronaldo for Gonçalo Ramos. The timing of this decision sparked curiosity, as the match was tied and extra time was imminent, making Ronaldo’s absence seem significant.
However, this decision appeared to be premeditated. In the 86th minute, right after Francisco Trincao’s equalizer, Ronaldo approached his coach, seemingly indicating discomfort by pointing to his right leg, possibly signaling a potential injury.
Shortly after, Ronaldo was substituted, visibly unhappy with this choice. Although no official updates on his injury status have been provided, the interaction with Martinez and the substitution timing have raised concerns regarding his fitness.
