Christian Eriksen’s heroics fall short as Denmark are dumped out of UEFA Nations League by Portugal
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen produced a sensational performance for his national side but it wasn’t enough, as they came crashing out of the UEFA Nations League at the hands of Portugal.
Denmark came into the match with a one-goal advantage, secured last week thanks to Rasmus Højlund’s impact off the bench.
Cristiano Ronaldo won a penalty for Portugal in the 38th minute but missed the spot-kick as Kasper Schmeichel dived the right way. However, Portugal ended up taking the lead courtesy of an own goal from Fulham star Joachim Andersen.
That lead was erased in the 56th minute when Rasmus Kristensen headed in the equalizer. Although Ronaldo restored the home side’s advantage with a tight-angle finish, Eriksen struck in the 76th minute to put Denmark back in front on aggregate. Patrick Dorgu provided the assist for Eriksen’s close-range strike.
Substitute Francisco Trincao turned the game on its head, firing home from outside the box in the 86th minute to make it 3-3 on aggregate and force extra time before finding the back of the net again in the 91st minute.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos added a fifth later on to set up a semi-final clash with Germany.
Eriksen played 83 minutes before being replaced by Morten Frendrup. After the United midfielder’s departure, Denmark lost their creativity and attacking spark, ultimately unravelling.
In addition to his goal, Eriksen registered an assist for Kristensen’s headed finish. Eriksen touched the ball 42 times and managed to find his teammates with 21 of the 26 passes he attempted. One of his passes was a key pass.
The 33-year-old successfully connected with one of the three crosses he aimed and all two long balls that he pinged.
Eriksen fired two shots in total – one on target, for the goal, but the other didn’t require Diogo Costa to swing into action.
The Dane completed the one dribble he embarked on and won the single aerial duel he contested. He delved into three ground challenges and came out on top just once.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
It was a top performance from Eriksen but unfortunately, it didn’t count for too much at the end. Eriksen will now shift his attention to United ahead of the club’s clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on April 1.
Featured image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Topics
-
Christian Eriksen impresses in Denmark’s victory over Portugal
Manchester United had numerous players involved in Nations League duty last night.Rasmus Hojlund stole the show with his winning goal in Denmark’s 1-0 first leg win over Portugal but there were ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Hojlund’s Ronaldo tribute adds edge to Portugal vs Denmark Nations League clash
Portugal must respond.A lacklustre first-leg performance in Copenhagen saw them fall 1-0 to Denmark in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final. Rasmus Hojlund’s late goal has left Roberto ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Manchester United under pressure to stay in Europe, admits Christian Eriksen
Europa League last-16 return with Sociedad is ‘massive’ Backs compatriot Rasmus Højlund to end goal drought Christian Eriksen has admitted that there is “massive pressure” on Manchester United ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
Eriksen expects Man United exit at end of season
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has said he expects to leave the club at the end of the season but added that he's not ready to move back to home-country Denmark yetESPN - 6d -
Spain into UEFA Nations League semi-final with penalty shoot-out victory over The Netherlands
Spain have made it into the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League after a nervy penalty shoot-out victory over The Netherlands, which came after a 5-5 aggregate scoreline across two legs.In ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League
Ivan Perisic scored one goal and made another as Croatia beat France 2-0 on Thursday to seize the upper hand in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie.With France out of ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Portugal beat Denmark in thrilling Nations League quarter-final
Portugal beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate to reach the Nations League semi-finals on Sunday, winning a pulsating second leg 5-2 after extra time.But Portugal eventually pushed the tie to extra time at ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Germany vs. Italy: UEFA Nations League Preview
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany seek to secure passage to the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League semi-finals on Sunday evening. The German national team will play before a full capacity crowd of 81,365 live ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Hojlund earns Denmark edge over Portugal in Nations League
Rasmus Hojlund earned Denmark a deserved 1-0 lead over Portugal in their Nations League quarter-final first leg clash on Thursday.Portugal host Denmark in the second leg in Lisbon on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Swiatek gets extra security after harassment
World number two Iga Swiatek is receiving additional security at the Miami Open after she was harassed by a spectator during her practice.Media reports said that Swiatek was verbally harassed by a ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Texas Children's Houston Open 2025: First-round tee times and groupings
Tee times and groupings for the first round of the Texas Children's Houston Open.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
WBB: Bearcats G Abby Holtman enters transfer portal
Brandan Wesson, Wessography/TFON Cincinnati guard Abby Holtman has announced she will enter the transfer portal via IG. Holtman, a Florence Kentucky native spent the last two seasons at Cincinnati ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
3 things to watch for the Sixers in final 10 games of the season
Here are three things to watch for with the Philadelphia 76ers in the final 10 games of the 2024-25 season.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
2025 NFL free agency: Contract details for New York Jets CB Brandon Stephens
2025 NFL free agency: Contract details for Jets CB Brandon Stephens:Yahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
NWSL condemns alleged abuse of Pride's Banda
The NWSL and NJ/NY Gotham FC are investigating "hateful language" directed from a fan toward Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda during a match on Sunday.ESPN - 21m -
Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA corruption case
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and France great Michel Platini were both cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Tuesday.ESPN - 21m -
Ronaldo: Penalty miss? Knew Portugal would win
Cristiano Ronaldo had no doubt that Portugal would progress to the UEFA Nations League semifinals even after missing a penalty on Sunday.ESPN - 21m -
Balogun returns with hat trick in Monaco friendly
United States striker Folarin Balogun has played his first match this year following shoulder surgery.ESPN - 21m -
Güler, Szoboszlai continue feud: 'This guy a joke'
Real Madrid star Arda Güler called Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai "a joke" on Monday after the pair clashed in the UEFA Nations League game between Turkey and Hungary.ESPN - 21m