Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 in Nations League as Ronaldo Leaves Camp
Portugal secured a 4-2 victory over Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, despite the distraction of Cristiano Ronaldo's abrupt departure from the national team's training camp the previous day.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, left the camp on Wednesday after coach Jorge Jesus announced he would not start against Denmark. The 41-year-old had also been benched for the entire 2-1 win in Norway on Sunday, after captaining the side in a 1-0 home victory over Wales last Thursday.
Ahead of kick-off, Jesus said he simply wanted his players "to focus on the match." His team appeared unaffected by the controversy surrounding Ronaldo's walk-out.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Ronaldo said: "Following the national team coach's press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team's training camp."
He added: "In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated."
Jesus said after Thursday's match, "After (the match), we'll definitely have time to talk about" the situation.
On the pitch, Joao Cancelo put Portugal ahead inside 13 minutes, but Mikkel Damsgaard curled in an equaliser 10 minutes later. Goncalo Ramos, handed another start up front by Jesus, restored Portugal's lead two minutes after that with a neat near-post finish.
Denmark levelled again early in the second half through Rasmus Hojlund, only for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha to head the visitors back in front in the 57th minute.
Substitute Joao Felix then completed the scoring with three minutes remaining, finishing off a quick counter-attack to secure a third win in as many matches for new coach Jesus.
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