Cristiano Ronaldo scored and missed a penalty as Portugal edged past Denmark in a thrilling encounter to secure a spot in the Nations League semi-finals.
The quarter-final ended 3-3 on aggregate after 90 minutes, but Francisco Trincão struck just seconds into extra time after Kasper Schmeichel parried Gonçalo Ramos’ shot. Substitute Ramos later sealed the victory with five minutes remaining.
The match was packed with drama. Patrick Dorgu conceded an early penalty after fouling Ronaldo in the box, but Schmeichel denied the Portugal captain with a low save to his left.
Undeterred, Portugal continued to press and broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time when Fulham defender Joachim Andersen inadvertently headed Bruno Fernandes’ corner into his own net.
Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for offside against Rafael Leão on the stroke of half-time, before Rasmus Kristensen’s back-post header leveled the score on the night and restored Denmark’s aggregate advantage.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was at the heart of the action again, tapping in from close range in the 72nd minute after Schmeichel had saved Fernandes’ initial shot.
However, Denmark responded swiftly, with Christian Eriksen converting Dorgu’s low cross just four minutes later.
Trincão then fired Portugal level again with a powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 86th minute before grabbing his second early in extra time. Ramos capped off the win, turning in Diogo Jota’s square ball from close range.
Before kick-off, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva was honored with a commemorative trophy for reaching 100 appearances for Portugal’s senior men’s team.
Roberto Martínez’s side will now face Germany in the semi-finals after Julian Nagelsmann’s team edged past Italy 5-4 on aggregate in their last-eight tie. Meanwhile, Denmark will turn their focus to World Cup qualifying, where they face Scotland in Group C.
