Portugal survive Denmark thriller to maintain perfect Nations League start

Portugal won all three of their matches in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, coming back from behind to beat Denmark 4-2 in a lively game at Parken in Copenhagen. Portugal took the lead twice in a game of swings before Denmark fought back, and then Portugal got away in the second half.

The visitors took off fast. João Cancelo put Portugal ahead in the 13th minute as he combined with Gonçalo Ramos. Ten minutes later Denmark’s Mikkel Damsgaard made it 1-1. Ramos struck again in the 25th minute to restore Portugal’s lead, with the visitors leading 2-1 at half-time.

Denmark would not go gently into the night. But in the 53rd minute Rasmus Højlund equalized to make it 2-2 and give the home fans renewed belief. Portugal then increased the tempo. Vitinha restored the visitors’ lead on the hour, and seven minutes later, Joao Felix wrapped up the scoring in the 87th minute as they emerged 4-2 victors.

Score highlights

Denmark 2-4 Portugal

• 13′ — João Cancelo
• 23′ — Mikkel Damsgaard
• 25′ — Gonçalo Ramos
• 53’—Rasmus Højlund
• ’67’—Vitinha
• 87’—João Félix

And that was without Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese side, which made the result all the more impressive. Other attacking players stepped up to the mark instead of the absence causing the team to break up. Ramos scored, Cancelo got the opener, Vitinha restored the lead, and Félix put the icing on the cake late in the game.

A key to the match was that Portugal always had an answer each time Denmark equalized. The hosts fought back from 1-0 and 2-1, but Portugal were cool enough to add another goal whenever the game looked like turning.

There were some cool attacking stats from the match too. The report from the Danish official federation said both keepers were tested early, with Mads Hermansen making a vital save from Vitinha before Diogo Costa responded at the other end. Portugal had the better attacking stats and seven corners to Denmark’s three.

UEFA’s tournament roundup revealed that Portugal sit six points clear at the top of Group A4 after Matchday 3, having won all three of their matches.

The win puts Portugal in a good place ahead of the group phase and Denmark will take confidence from the two times they came back as proof they could give the reigning Nations League champions a scare. Portugal had the last laugh, though, showing enough attacking flair to turn a tense six-goal thriller into another three points.