Some football nights feel different before a ball is even kicked. This is one of them. On 1 October 2026, Portugal walk out in Copenhagen without C. Ronaldo for the first time in 23 years. The Denmark vs Portugal fixture is a big one in the UEFA Nations League A, and it arrives in the middle of a very public row. The goal for the visitors is simple: forget the drama and win. Here is an easy guide to what happened and what to expect.
A week that changed the mood
It began last Sunday. Portugal beat Norway by 2 goals to 1, but Ronaldo never left the bench. That sparked talk of tension between the player and coach Jorge Jesus, who took charge after the World Cup, replacing Roberto Martínez.
On Wednesday, Jesus told reporters that Ronaldo, 41, would not start against Denmark. He insisted there was no feud and that picking the team was his job. A few hours later, Ronaldo left the training camp.
He explained that he made the call after the press conference and a talk with federation president Pedro Proença. The federation said the other 24 players would carry on with their preparation. Ronaldo also said he would speak “the truth” at a later date.
Those are the confirmed facts. Everything beyond that is guesswork, so it is best to be patient. Fans on social media often fill the gaps with theories, but the easy option is rarely the accurate one.
Why Ronaldo’s absence feels so big
Ronaldo holds the national team records for appearances (234) and goals (146). Many South African supporters grew up watching him, so a Portugal team sheet without his name is a strange sight.
That is why this match is about more than points. It is the first real look at life after Ronaldo. Can the group stay calm, trust each other and perform under pressure? On paper, that sounds easy. In practice, it is not.
The table adds to the stakes. Portugal sit top of Group A4 with six points from two matches. Denmark and Norway are on three each. A win would put Jesus’s side in a strong position. A slip would let the others back in.
Portugal’s plan in attack
The big story is up front. Gonçalo Ramos gets the nod as the central striker, a job normally held by Ronaldo. The PSG forward gets a major chance to prove himself.
He has quick support on both sides. Rafael Leão and Pedro Neto bring pace and direct running, and Leão is the headline name of the night. If he gets space behind the Danish full backs, he can cause real trouble.
The idea is simple. Win the ball, find the wingers early and let Ramos finish. It does not need to be fancy. It only needs to be sharp.
The engine room and the back four
In midfield, Bruno Fernandes joins Vitinha and Rúben Neves. Fernandes is the creative link between the lines, while Vitinha and Neves help set the rhythm. If this trio controls the game, Portugal’s wide players will get the service they need.
At the back, Rúben Dias and Nuno Mendes anchor the defence, with João Cancelo and Renato Veiga completing the line. Diogo Costa starts in goal.
What Denmark bring
Denmark are described as a stubborn team, and their selection supports that. Rasmus Højlund leads their attack, flanked by Adam Daghim and Mohamed Daramy. Mikkel Damsgaard plays in midfield alongside Højbjerg and Hjulmand. Joachim Andersen and Joakim Mæhle give the defence some experience, with Mads Hermansen in goal.
If Portugal switch off even for a moment, Denmark have the tools to hurt them. A tidy start matters.
Both starting teams side by side
This table keeps things simple to compare.
| Position | Portugal | Denmark |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Diogo Costa | Mads Hermansen |
| Defence | João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes | Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Mæhle, Rasmus Nissen Kristensen |
| Midfield | Vitinha, Rúben Neves, Bruno Fernandes | Højbjerg, Hjulmand, Mikkel Damsgaard |
| Attack | Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Ramos | Adam Daghim, Mohamed Daramy, Rasmus Højlund |
Five things to watch
If you are following from home, here is an easy checklist.
- Leão in space. One good run could decide the match.
- Ramos’s first big test. A goal would quiet a lot of noise.
- Fernandes in control. A calm midfield helps a nervous team.
- Dias and Mendes against Højlund. The Danish striker is a constant threat.
- The team’s mood. Some squads rally after a shock. Others wobble. The first twenty minutes will show which one this is.
Is this the end for Ronaldo with Portugal?
Nobody can say yet. Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international football. The federation has only confirmed that he left camp. The coach says there is no feud. Ronaldo says he will tell his side later.
Until the player or the federation speaks, the simple approach is to stick to what is confirmed.
What comes after Denmark
The calendar does not slow down. Portugal’s next listed fixture is against Norway on 4 October. As the title holders, expectations stay high. A strong result in Copenhagen would calm things and show that the team can handle a crisis. You can follow fixtures, results and standings on the official UEFA Nations League page.
Final thoughts
This game marks a turning point for Portugal. The team has pace in attack, quality in midfield and a solid defence. The job is simple to describe: stay focused, play your own football and take something from a hard away match.
The Denmark vs Portugal meeting is worth your time, and it opens a new chapter in the UEFA Nations League A. For the first time in over two decades, it begins without C. Ronaldo.
If you are watching from South Africa, keep it easy. Check the team news, watch how Leão and Ramos handle the pressure, and see how the new era starts.
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