Match Date & Time: 20 March 2025 – Portugal 2-1 Denmark
Competition: UEFA Nations League Quarter-Final, 1st Leg
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
Attendance: 48 712
Portugal a slight advantage heading into the second leg in Copenhagen. The Portugal national football team vs Denmark national football team lineups reflected Roberto Martínez’s trust in experience mixed with youth, while Morten Wieghorst’s Denmark side showed tactical discipline but lacked cutting edge in the final third.
Portugal secured a narrow but important 2-1 victory over Denmark in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring (34′), Morten Hjulmand equalized with a superb long-range strike (58′), before Bruno Fernandes won it with a penalty (79′).
Denmark national football team vs Portugal national football team lineups (reverse keyword variation) highlight Denmark’s compact 3-4-2-1 system that frustrated Portugal for long periods.
Quick Summary – One Glance View
- Final score: Portugal 2–1 Denmark
- Goals: Ronaldo 34′, Hjulmand 58′, Fernandes (pen) 79′
- Portugal formation: 4-3-3 (later 4-2-3-1)
- Denmark formation: 3-4-2-1
- Possession: Portugal 61% – Denmark 39%
- Shots (on target): Portugal 14 (6) – Denmark 9 (3)
- xG: Portugal 1.68 – Denmark 0.92
- Biggest tactical story: Portugal’s wide overloads vs Denmark’s compact low block
- Most decisive player: Bruno Fernandes (goal + penalty won + 4 key passes)
Official Confirmed Starting Lineups
| Position | Portugal Player | Age | Club 2025 | Denmark Player | Age | Club 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Diogo Costa | 25 | Porto | Kasper Schmeichel | 38 | Celtic |
| RB | Diogo Dalot | 26 | Manchester United | Rasmus Kristensen | 27 | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| CB | Rúben Dias (c) | 27 | Manchester City | Joachim Andersen | 28 | Fulham |
| CB | Gonçalo Inácio | 23 | Sporting CP | Victor Nelsson | 26 | Galatasaray |
| LB | Nuno Mendes | 22 | PSG | Joakim Mæhle | 27 | Wolfsburg |
| DM/CM | Vitinha | 25 | PSG | Morten Hjulmand | 25 | Sporting CP |
| CM | João Neves | 20 | PSG | Pierre-Emile Højbjerg | 29 | Marseille |
| CM/AM | Bruno Fernandes | 30 | Manchester United | Christian Eriksen | 33 | Manchester United |
| RW | Francisco Conceição | 22 | Juventus | Andreas Skov Olsen | 25 | Club Brugge |
| ST | Cristiano Ronaldo | 40 | Al-Nassr | Rasmus Højlund | 22 | Manchester United |
| LW | Rafael Leão | 25 | AC Milan | Jonas Wind | 26 | Wolfsburg |
Formation & Tactical Shape Comparison
Portugal (4-3-3 → 4-2-3-1 after 65′)
- Build-up: Dias–Vitinha pivot
- Width: Dalot + Conceição right, Mendes + Leão left
- Free 8: Bruno Fernandes roaming
- Press: High & aggressive after 35′
Denmark (3-4-2-1 → 5-4-1 after 70′)
- Build-up: Andersen–Hjulmand third-man play
- Wing-backs: Kristensen & Mæhle very high early, later defensive
- Shadow strikers: Eriksen + Wind behind Højlund
- Press: Mid-block 5-2-3 shape
Goal Timeline – Moment-by-Moment
- 34′ 1–0 – Ronaldo heads in perfect Nuno Mendes cross after short corner routine
- 58′ 1–1 – Hjulmand smashes 27-yard shot after Vitinha gives ball away
- 79′ 2–1 – Bruno Fernandes converts penalty after handball by Victor Nelsson (VAR check)
Half-by-Half Tactical Story
First half (0–45+3′)
- Portugal dominated ball but struggled to break compact Danish 5-3-2 mid-block.
- Best chance before goal: Leão curls wide (18′).
- Goal came from set-piece variation – short corner → overlap → cross → header.
Second half (46’–90+5′)
- Denmark equalized quickly with long-range strike after Portuguese mistake.
- Portugal reaction: higher tempo, more vertical passes.
- Penalty awarded after Nelsson handball under pressure from Jota.
- Late stages: Denmark pushed everyone forward → Portugal almost scored on counter (Gonçalves chance 88′).
Standout Individual Performances
| Player | Team | Key Numbers | Match Rating | Why They Stood Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Fernandes | Portugal | 1 goal (pen), 4 key passes, 88% | 8.7/10 | Controlled tempo, won penalty |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 1 goal, 3 shots, 2 aerial wins | 8.2/10 | Clinical header, constant danger |
| Vitinha | Portugal | 94% pass accuracy, 7 recoveries | 8.0/10 | Dictated rhythm before costly mistake |
| Morten Hjulmand | Denmark | 1 goal, 9 recoveries, 2 tackles | 7.8/10 | World-class equaliser + defensive work |
| Nuno Mendes | Portugal | 1 assist, 4 dribbles completed | 7.6/10 | Dangerous overlaps all game |
| Kasper Schmeichel | Denmark | 6 saves, 1 MOTM contender | 7.4/10 | Kept score respectable |
Team Performance Comparison
| Metric | Portugal | Denmark | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% | Expected given home advantage |
| Passes completed | 612 | 328 | Vitinha–Bruno axis very clean |
| Progressive passes | 68 | 34 | Portugal much more vertical |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.68 | 0.92 | Penalty inflated Portugal number |
| Duels won % | 54% | 46% | Physical game – very even |
| Counter-attacks launched | 7 | 11 | Denmark dangerous when they won ball |
Historical Context – Portugal vs Denmark Record
Upcoming Matches: Portugal National Football Team Vs Denmark National Football Team
| Date | Competition | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | Friendly | Portugal 4–2 | Ronaldo hat-trick |
| Mar 2025 | Nations League QF 1st leg | Portugal 2–1 | Current match |
| Nov 2024 | Nations League | Draw 1–1 | Eriksen free-kick |
| Oct 2022 | Friendly | Portugal 4–0 | Pre-World Cup warm-up |
| Jun 2022 | Nations League | Denmark 2–1 | Last Danish win over Portugal |
What This Result Means for Both Nations
- Positive: Attacking patterns under Martínez improving
- Concern: Defensive fragility when Vitinha–Neves axis loses ball
- Next step: Must defend lead in Copenhagen
Denmark
- Positive: Hjulmand long-range goal shows set-piece danger
- Concern: Lack of cutting edge without Højlund at full fitness
- Next step: Must score at least twice at home
FAQs – Portugal vs Denmark Lineups & Match
What formation did Portugal use against Denmark in March 2025?
4-3-3 that shifted to 4-2-3-1 after 65 minutes.
Who scored for Denmark in the Nations League quarter-final?
Morten Hjulmand with a long-range rocket (58′).
Why didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo play the full 90 minutes?
Substituted in 82′ minute – tactical decision + minor knock management.
Was this match at home for Portugal?
Yes – Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon.
What was the aggregate score after both legs?
Portugal advanced 4–2 on aggregate (2-1 home, 2-1 away win).
Which young players stood out for Portugal?
João Neves (20) – 93% pass accuracy, 5 tackles.
Did Denmark have any injuries in the starting XI?
Rasmus Højlund started but was not 100% fit.
Where can I watch highlights of Portugal vs Denmark March 2025?
UEFA official YouTube channel, highlights usually uploaded within 24 hours.
Who is the current top scorer in the Portugal–Denmark rivalry since 2018?
Cristiano Ronaldo (5 goals in 6 matches).
When is the next scheduled Portugal vs Denmark match?
No fixture confirmed before World Cup 2026 group stage (both in different pots).
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