Leão steps into the No. 7 shirt as Portugal maintain their perfect Nations League start in Copenhagen
By Andalo Christine Ingutia
Portugal produced a stunning response to one of the most dramatic weeks in their recent football history, defeating Denmark 4–2 at Parken Stadium on Thursday to maintain their perfect start to the UEFA Nations League. But the six-goal thriller was only part of the story.
The night began with Cristiano Ronaldo thousands of miles from the pitch, having abruptly left the national team camp following a reported disagreement over his starting role. It ended with Rafael Leão wearing Ronaldo’s famous No. 7 shirt and Portugal celebrating a convincing victory without their captain.
With Ronaldo gone, Leão inherited the number that has become almost synonymous with his absent teammate during two decades of international football. Leão normally wears No. 17, but UEFA competition rules meant the vacant number could not be left unused in the match squad. Fábio Silva moved into No. 17 while Leão stepped into No. 7.
Despite the noise surrounding Ronaldo’s departure, Portugal started with purpose. The visitors took the lead after just 13 minutes when João Cancelo combined brilliantly with Gonçalo Ramos before finishing the move to put Portugal ahead. Denmark responded eight minutes later through a moment of individual quality from Mikkel Damsgaard, but Portugal refused to allow the hosts time to settle. Two minutes later, Ramos restored the advantage.
Denmark came out strongly after the break and were rewarded in the 53rd minute when Rasmus Højlund found space behind the Portuguese defence and finished calmly past Diogo Costa — celebrating the goal with Ronaldo’s signature “Siuuu” salute. Portugal did not lose their composure. Their midfield began dictating the game as Denmark struggled to contain the visitors’ movement, and in the 67th minute Vitinha timed his run perfectly to head the ball beyond Schmeichel and restore the lead at 3–2.
Denmark pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but the space left behind their defence ultimately proved costly. In the 87th minute, João Félix found the back of the net to make it 4–2 and complete a memorable night for coach Roberto Martínez’s side.
The victory gave Portugal nine points from three matches and strengthened their position at the top of Group A4. But despite the result, questions about Ronaldo linger. His departure has created uncertainty around his international future, though Portugal players have stopped short of closing the door on a possible return.
Ronaldo’s absence was felt throughout the night, even as his teammates demonstrated they could still produce fluid, attacking football without him. For Leão, the occasion carried personal weight. He later described Ronaldo as a childhood idol and said wearing the shirt held special significance beyond the football.
Portugal left Copenhagen with more than three points. They left with a perfect Nations League record and a national-team story that had shifted dramatically in under 48 hours. Whether Ronaldo’s departure marks the end of an international era or simply another dramatic chapter in a career defined by them remains unanswered. For now, Portugal’s new chapter has opened with a statement.
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