Portugal will begin a new era without Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday, November 14, when they host Denmark in UEFA Nations League Group A4 at Braga Municipal Stadium, with kick-off at 19:45 GMT. The fixture matters because Portugal are already through to the quarterfinals and can confirm first place, while Denmark need a result to keep their last-eight hopes alive. Al Jazeera Sport will bring build-up from 16:45 GMT before live text commentary.
Key Takeaways: Portugal have won all four Group A4 matches and will be confirmed as group winners if they avoid defeat against Denmark, who are second. Denmark must beat Portugal and hope Norway do not beat third-placed Wales to secure a quarterfinal place. Ronaldo, 41, retired last week after 23 years with the national team, weeks after a public rift with coach Jorge Jesus; Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix have three goals each.
Ronaldo’s departure closes a 23-year chapter in Portuguese football. The record scorer and long-serving captain announced his retirement in a lengthy social media video, saying it was time to “pass it on to the future”. The 41-year-old, a polarising icon who wore the much-adored No 7 shirt, left after a public rift with coach Jorge Jesus. Portugal, two-time holders, have already reached the quarterfinals with a perfect record of four wins from four, making this their first test without their biggest star.
Portugal opened with a 1-0 home win over Wales before beating Norway 2-1, a game in which Ronaldo was an unused substitute. Shortly afterwards, Ronaldo stormed out of the national camp, but his absence did not trouble the team as they thrashed Denmark 4-2 away and won 2-1 at home against Norway. In Copenhagen on October 1, goals from Joao Cancelo, Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha and Felix gave Portugal a 4-2 win; Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund scored for the hosts. Opta’s supercomputer gives Portugal a 59.4 percent probability of victory, Denmark 19.4 percent and a draw 21.2 percent.
Portugal are without suspended Cancelo and Francisco Conceicao, while Rafael Leao, Nuno Mendes and Nuno Tavares are injured. Probable Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Flavio Nazinho; Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos. Denmark will be without Patrick Dorgu, and six players must be cautious with one booking away from suspension. Probable Denmark XI: Mads Hermansen; Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle; Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg; Gustav Isaksen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Mohamed Daramy; Rasmus Hojlund.
Portugal’s last five matches read W-W-W-W-L, while Denmark’s form is W-L-W-L-D. Portugal’s main task is to keep their attacking structure stable after Ronaldo and formalise top spot. Denmark must win and then wait for the result of Norway versus Wales. Regional broadcasters can be found on UEFA’s official broadcaster listing.
Source: www.aljazeera.com