By Samuel A March 24, 2025
Portugal’s Francisco Trincão came off the bench to save the day for the country, as he scored twice – one in regular time and one in extra time – as they beat resilient Denmark 5-2 on Sunday for a 5-3 aggregate win that set up a Nations League semifinal against Germany.
With the Danes leading the tie 1-0 thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s goal in Thursday’s first leg in Copenhagen, Portugal started the game in need of a two goal lead to qualify in regular time. Patrick Dorgu handed Portugal an early gift, bundling over Ronaldo to concede a penalty in the third minute. The Portuguese skipper stepped up to take the spot kick himself, but Danes’ experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel smartly denied him, putting them under serious pressure. Ronaldo could have made amends almost instantly immediately in the 17th minute, ghosting in at the far post to head a ball from Nuno Mendes at goal, but again, Schmeichel got the better of him.
Portugal eventually took the lead on the night in the 38th minute thanks to an own goal from Danish defender Joachim Andersen, who headed a corner won by Ronaldo into his own net.
That goal was cancelled out by a Rasmus Kristensen header from a corner of their own in the 56th minute, and though Ronaldo gave the home side the lead again with a finish from a tight angle, Christian Eriksen put Denmark back in front on aggregate in the 76th minute, piling more pressure on Portugal until Trincão then took over, scoring in the 86th minute to make it 3-3 on aggregate and force extra time before netting again to put his side ahead in the tie.
Denmark defended heroically but they ran out of steam after Trincão’s second goal, and substitute Gonçalo Ramos added the icing on the cake with Portugal’s fifth to send them through to a final-four meeting with Germany, who beat Italy 5-4 on aggregate.
France, who also beat Croatia via penalties would face Spain, who edged past unlucky Netherlands on penalties.
