Portugal vs Denmark team news and predicted lineups | OneFootball

Portugal hosts Denmark at Estádio José Alvalade in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday, March 23rd.

Brian Riemer’s men are in the driver’s seat after winning 1-0 on home soil earlier in the week. The game kicks off at 7:45 p.m. (UK time), but a UK broadcaster is yet to be confirmed.

Portugal vs Denmark predicted lineups

Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Dalot, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Silva, Fernandes; Leão, Ronaldo, Neto

Denmark (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Dorgu, Vestergaard, Andersen, Kristensen; Nørgaard, Hjulmand, Eriksen; Lindstrøm, Biereth, Isaksen

Portugal vs Denmark team news

Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martínez, is not expected to panic about his team’s performance. He will likely stick with the same starting XI as in the first leg, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo in a central role. Bruno Fernandes is another key player who will certainly start in the number 10 position.

While Bernardo Silva is a potential option, Portugal will benefit more from Pedro Neto’s speed in the final third. Additionally, the impressive midfield duo of Vitinha and João Neves from Paris Saint-Germain are expected to continue their partnership in midfield.

In Denmark’s lineup, Rasmus Højlund has made a strong case to start after his impressive performance off the bench. The Manchester United forward is likely to be given the opportunity to play as a central striker.

Patrick Dorgu, his United teammate, was only brought on as a late substitute during Thursday’s match and is expected to start on the bench once again. Head coach Riemer will likely want to maintain the stability of his defensive unit.

The only change from the first leg may involve substituting Højlund for Mika Biereth. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen will continue playing in the number 10 role, with Morten Hjulmand and Christian Nørgaard anchoring the midfield.

Ronaldo neck and neck with the best

At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo is the fourth-highest goalscorer in the 2024-25 Nations League with five goals, behind only Razvan Marin, Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres.

The latter scored more goals than any player across Europe’s top 10 leagues in 2024 (52), while Haaland’s reputation as one of the continent’s most elite frontmen precedes him.

Ronaldo is chasing a record-extending 136th international goal on Sunday, while his quest for 1,000 career goals continues as he currently sits on 928.

Even at his ripe age, one of the beautiful game’s all-time greats is still going toe to toe with the next generation of strikers on the international stage.