Portugal advanced into the UEFA Nations League semi-finals after beating Denmark 5-2 in the second leg at home on Sunday night, winning 5-3 on aggregate after extra time.

Portugal might have taken the lead within the first 10 minutes had Cristiano Ronaldo scored his penalty, but the hosts levelled the tie half an hour later thanks to an own goal from Joachim Andersen, who bizarrely headed into his own net following a corner.

Ronaldo's close-range header shortly before half time was ruled out after replays showed winger Rafael Leao was offside in the buildup to the goal.

Denmark were much more competitive in the second half and managed to take control of the tie thanks to Rasmus Kristensen's goal from a corner, but Ronaldo poached his side's second with less than 20 minutes left to play.

Christian Eriksen netted after Ruben Dias needlessly gave possession away in his own half, giving Denmark the chance to attack the box, but Francisco Trincao restored Portugal's lead on the night just four minutes before the end of regular time.

Trincao went on to score the tie's winning goal in the first minute of extra time before Goncalo Ramos managed to add a fifth five minutes before the final whistle.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

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Though Portugal will not hold the UEFA Nations League with as much regard as the Euros or the World Cup, boss Roberto Martinez will not dismiss the importance of winning the competition.

The team are blessed with stars throughout the squad, and perhaps another triumph in the Nations League would be the perfect preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

As for Denmark, they will be concerned given they surrendered their lead in the tie three times across the second leg, and manager Brian Riemer will see their defeat against Portugal as a missed opportunity.

PORTUGAL VS. DENMARK HIGHLIGHTS

6th min: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) penalty miss

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Ronaldo earns a penalty after his arm was pulled back in the box, and the forward steps up to take the spot kick, only to tamely strike at the right side of the net where goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel easily collects possession.

38th min: Portugal 1-0 Denmark (Joachim Andersen own goal)

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Portugal swing in a corner from the left towards Ronaldo, but it looks like Andersen has the situation under control, only for the centre-back to send a looping header past his own goalkeeper to give Portugal the lead.

An excellent finish but at the wrong end of the pitch!

45+2nd min: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) offside goal

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Leao cuts inside from the left into the box and the ball arrives at the feet of Bernardo Silva, who cross to Ronaldo before the striker headed home from close range, but Leao was offside in the buildup to the goal.

It is not Ronaldo's night so far!

56th min: Portugal 1-1 Denmark (Rasmus Kristensen)

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Denmark take a corner from the left and play to the back post, where Kristensen meets the ball and tries to divert his header to the opposite post but finds the back of the net himself.

Denmark are back in control!

72nd min: Portugal 2-1 Denmark (Cristiano Ronaldo)

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Bruno Fernandes attempts a shot from distance, and his effort strikes the right post and bounces off of Schmeichel before landing at the feet of Ronaldo, who lifts the ball over the goalkeeper from a tight angle to restore his side's lead.

A poacher's finish!

76th min: Portugal 2-2 Denmark (Christian Eriksen)

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Dias lingers on the ball in his own half and needlessly surrenders possession to Patrick Dorgu, who fires a low cross across the box to Eriksen, who crashes the penalty area and taps home.

Is that the winner?

86th min: Portugal 3-2 Denmark (Francisco Trincao)

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Schmeichel punches the ball to the edge of the box where Leao collects possession before he tees up Trincao, who strikes a ferocious effort into the ground and sees his strike sail into the bottom-right corner.

What a game!

91st min: Portugal 4-2 Denmark (Francisco Trincao)

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Ramos strikes from range and Schmeichel parries the ball to his left and into the path of Trincao, who rushes onto the ball inside the box before shooting first time into the bottom-left corner.

Has he won Portugal the tie?

115th min: Portugal 5-2 Denmark (Goncalo Ramos)

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Denmark desperately push forward but lose possession, and that allows Diogo Jota to pick up the ball on the right flank in acres of space before squaring across the face of goal to Ramos, who taps home for his side's fifth.

Game over!

MAN OF THE MATCH - FRANCISCO TRINCAO

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Francisco Trincao was only brought on in the 81st minute, but he managed to draw his side level in the tie with his first goal before giving them the lead in the first minute of extra time.

The winger also added a much-needed surety in the final third, completing 11 of his 13 passes and helping Portugal sustain pressure.

PORTUGAL VS. DENMARK MATCH STATS

Possession: Portugal 58%-42% Denmark
Shots: Portugal 18-14 Denmark
Shots on target: Portugal 11-4 Denmark
Corners: Portugal 11-8 Denmark
Fouls: Portugal 21-19 Denmark

BEST STATS

929 career goals and counting.

Still scoring in crucial moments for Portugal.

Greatness 🐐 pic.twitter.com/LacBHr3mRr

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 23, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Portugal's progression to the Nations League semi-final will see them take on Germany in a single-legged tie on June 4.

Should they beat Die Mannschaft, they will then take on either Spain or France in the final of the competition on June 8.

Written by
Lewis Nolan