Portugal's post-Ronaldo era begins with historic home loss - ESPN

Portugal began life without Cristiano Ronaldo by suffering their heaviest home loss in a competitive game as Denmark ran out emphatic 4-1 winners in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday.

Portugal paid tribute to Ronaldo before and during the team's lackluster display — one that earned whistles from disappointed home fans in Braga who had been looking forward to a party, with their previously unbeaten team already through to the quarterfinals.

— Portugal change No. 7 jersey design as tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo

The 41-year-old Portugal superstar announced his international retirement last week following a falling out with coach Jorge Jesus.

Asked if the team had missed Ronaldo on Saturday, Jesus responded: «But what's there to miss? If he's no longer available for the national team, what exactly are we missing? Only if it's someone to keep me company — he doesn't play anymore, he's not here, he's already made up his mind about his situation.»

His former teammates all wore Ronaldo No. 7 jerseys before kickoff, then failed to impose themselves on the game.

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored before the break with an emphatically taken penalty after Rúben Dias was penalized for handball.

Rasmus Højlund made it 2-0 in the 50th with a volley to finish off a fine team move, then eluded Dias on the edge of the area and hammered the ball past goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 57th.

Portugal fans whistled as their misfiring team needlessly conceded a corner, but it didn't get any better.

Joachim Andersen scored with a header to make it 4-0 in the 75th as the home fans chanted for Ronaldo.

«It's got nothing to do with one thing or the other,» Jesus said. «It's normal, people miss him and won't forget what Cris achieved over