Hojlund double helps Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in Nations League

Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 on Saturday in Nations League Group A4, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring twice early in the second half. Sky Sports' match record confirms goals from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joachim Andersen alongside the striker's double, while Bernardo Silva scored Portugal's only goal in stoppage time.

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Hojbjerg converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to give Denmark the lead before the interval. Hojlund then scored in the 49th and 57th minutes, turning a one-goal advantage into a 3-0 lead. Andersen added Denmark's fourth in the 75th minute, before Silva replied in the third minute of added time.

Sky's figures recorded 17 attempts for Denmark against Portugal's 15, although the hosts led eight to six in shots on target. Denmark also won seven corners to Portugal's six. The result gave the visitors a third group victory, following their two earlier wins over Wales.

The result reversed the outcome of October's meeting in Copenhagen, which Portugal won 4-2. UEFA's account of the campaign identified Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix as important attacking contributors under Jorge Jesus: each had scored three times across the opening four matches, and both were on the scoresheet in that earlier away victory against Denmark.

Hojlund had also been central to Denmark's campaign before Saturday. According to UEFA, he scored three of their seven goals across the first four matchdays and supplied the winner away to Wales in their previous group game. That victory had taken Denmark to six points. His two goals against Portugal therefore increased his personal tally in this group campaign to five, extending a scoring contribution that had already helped keep Denmark in contention.

Portugal's quarter-final place was secure before kick-off, UEFA confirmed, and the defeat does not undo that qualification. Denmark still have work to do: the Guardian reported that a draw against Norway on Tuesday would secure their quarter-final place. The teams' contrasting qualification positions remain significant despite the emphatic scoreline.