A spot in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals will be on the line when Portugal and Denmark face off at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the second leg of the quarter-final on Sunday.
The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League is on the cusp of reaching its penultimate stage. But before that, the eight teams will face off in the second leg of their quarter-final ties. The action on Sunday will start and end with four simultaneous fixtures, including Portugal vs Denmark at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Portugal cruised through the opening stage of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, enjoying an unbeaten run. While Roberto Martinez’s men conceded a goal in every game apart from their 0-0 draw with Scotland, they won four and drew two ties to secure the top spot in Group A1.
On the other hand, Denmark reached the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals by finishing behind Spain in Group A4. Brian Riemer’s men could not have started their Nations League campaign any better, clinching 2-0 wins over Switzerland and Serbia. However, they ended with four winless results, although two stalemates were enough to help the Red and Whites reach the current stage.
The reverse fixture happened earlier this week, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring the only goal as Denmark beat Portugal 1-0 at Parken. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Portugal
Roberto Martinez has no new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Portugal’s head coach will have a fully-fit squad vs Denmark at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Sunday.
Diogo Costa is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Portugal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Denmark on Sunday. The backline should see one change, with Goncalo Inacio replacing Renato Veiga.
Inacio will accompany Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, and Nuno Mendes in the backline. The two full-backs will aim to provide width in the final third and protect the centre-backs. As for the midfield, there is no reason to fiddle with the pairing of Vitinha and Joao Neves in the double pivot.
Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Pedro Neto and Rafael Leao being the two wide attackers. So, Bernardo Silva will be an option on the bench again. Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the line for Portugal against Denmark on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves; Neto, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo
Denmark
Like his counterpart in the Portuguese dugout, Brian Riemer has no new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Estadio Jose Alvalade. Denmark’s head coach should have a full-strength squad on Sunday.
Kasper Schmeichel will take his spot between the sticks, with Denmark lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Portugal on Sunday. The backline should feature Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Jannik Vestergaard, and Joakim Maehle.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Norgaard should line up alongside Morten Hjulmand in the double pivot. Christian Eriksen will likely reprise the no. 10 role, with Andreas Skov Olsen and Jesper Lindstrom being the two wide attackers.
Finally, Rasmus Hojlund should lead the line for Denmark against Portugal at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Sunday night. Mikkel Damsgaard, Andreas Skov Olsen, and Mika Biereth will be backup options on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Vestergaard, Maehle; Hjulmand, Norgaard; Skov Olsen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Portugal and Denmark have previously faced off 17, with the Seleccao being the dominant side with 11 wins (D2 L4).
- Before the 1-0 defeat earlier this week, Portugal had secured three successive wins vs Denmark in all competitions.
- The last three meetings between Portugal and Denmark have ended with a 1-0 scoreline.
- Portugal have suffered only one loss in their seven most recent matches in all competitions.
- Denmark have emerged on the right side of the result in only one of their five most recent matches.
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo
Rasmus Hojlund was our pick for this section in the preview for the first leg, and the youngster delivered the goods by scoring the match-winning goal. While Hojlund, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes were viable candidates for the second leg, we have picked Cristiano Ronaldo as the Player to Watch for Sunday’s game between Portugal and Denmark.
Ronaldo had the ignominy of watching Hojlund unleash his trademark celebration in front of him in the first leg. The desperate competitor in the 40-year-old should awaken on Sunday, and he will be eager to resume his excellent 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign by guiding Portugal to the semi-finals.
Prediction
Portugal 2-1 Denmark (Denmark win on penalties)
Roberto Martinez lamented his team’s performance in the first leg, calling it Portugal’s worst performance in two years. So, the home side will be eager to overcome the hurt and agony by unleashing a top-class performance and scripting a memorable comeback.
However, Denmark will not go down without a fight, and there might not be much to separate the two sides. The Hard Tackle predicts Martinez and his charges to clinch a 2-1 win on Sunday, taking the tie to penalties. There, Brian Riemer’s men should prevail, taking Denmark to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
