Portugal shrugged off the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo to beat Denmark 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, while Germany secured a 2-0 victory over Serbia to give Jurgen Klopp his first win as coach.
Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal squad on Wednesday had dominated attention ahead of the match in Copenhagen, with fresh questions raised about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s international future.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, however, urged his players to focus on the match, and they responded with an impressive performance at the Parken Stadium.
AC Milan striker Goncalo Ramos, who scored Portugal’s winner against Norway on Sunday after being preferred to Ronaldo in attack, played a key role again. He set up Joao Cancelo for Portugal’s early opener before scoring the second goal himself in the 25th minute.
Denmark responded through Mikkel Damsgaard, who curled in a fine effort, before Rasmus Hojlund equalised shortly after half-time.
Portugal regained the lead midway through the second half when Vitinha headed in a superb cross from Bruno Fernandes.
Joao Felix then completed the scoring after finishing a well-worked move to seal Portugal’s 4-2 victory.
The defending Nations League champions remain top of Group A4 with nine points from three matches. Portugal will host Norway in Porto on Sunday.
In Munich, Klopp finally recorded his first victory as Germany coach as his side defeated Serbia 2-0.
Germany had drawn with the Netherlands and lost at home to Greece in Klopp’s opening two matches, but Tom Bischof put the hosts ahead late in the first half before Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz doubled the advantage shortly after the hour mark.
“The mix of football and attitude was top level today. I told the boys that this has to be our benchmark,” Klopp said after the match.
Germany will travel to Greece for their next game. Greece currently lead Group A2 with seven points from three matches after drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands in Thessaloniki on Thursday.
Attention now turns to Friday, when Zinedine Zidane makes his homecoming as France face Italy on home soil.