Friday 21 March 2025 10:07
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Manchester United centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund followed up his goal in the victory at Leicester City with Denmark’s winner against Portugal.
Our no.9 only came on in the 69th minute but made the decisive contribution to the UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg in Copenhagen.
He marked the composed finish, applied to a clever cross from Andreas Skov Olsen, with a ‘Siuu’ celebration that Cristiano Ronaldo has made his own, as the legendary former Red looked on.
Afterwards, Rasmus was keen to point out that it was very much a mark of respect to a player he admired so much growing up.
Diogo Dalot denied Christian Eriksen an international goal in Copenhagen.
“It’s for my idol,” he told broadcaster TV2. “It wasn’t to mock him or anything. He’s had such a huge impact on me and my football career.
“Maybe it’s a bit ambivalent but to score against him and Portugal, it’s huge. I remember him scoring from a free-kick in 2011, when I went to watch the match, and, since then, I’ve been a huge Cristiano fan.”
Ronaldo, now with Al Nassr, was unable to add to his ridiculous international goal tally of 135 on the night, but there is still the second leg to come, in Lisbon on Sunday.
Christian Eriksen could have got on the scoresheet himself, after his volley was handled by Renato Veiga inside the area. The United midfielder stepped up to take the penalty but Diogo Costa dived to make a superb save, after the keeper appeared to be given words of advice by Ronaldo.
Eriksen then had a shot cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot, who started the game for the visitors, along with Bruno Fernandes.
Our skipper was disappointed with his nation’s performance and the outcome.
“We knew they were aggressive and that they would come out strong,” said Fernandes.
“We lacked aggression and needed to be stronger in the duels.
“We have a difficult game ahead of us but we really want to win, and, at home with our fans, we are sure that we’ll be able to turn the game around.”
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu came on as a late substitute for the hosts, as they celebrated a hard-fought win in the Danish capital.
Elsewhere in the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Spain.
Matthijs de Ligt was introduced for the final six minutes of the first leg, for former Red Memphis Depay, but was unable to prevent the 10 men (Jorrel Hato had been sent off) holding on to their slender lead, with Arsenal’s Mikel Merino netting an injury-time equaliser.
It was the 50th cap for our in-form central defender.
Goals by Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders had overturned the opener by Spain’s Nico Williams.
The second leg is also on Sunday, at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium.
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Friday 21 March 2025 10:07
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