'Portugal wanted a win for Ronaldo, losing at home to Denmark hurts' - Dias

Portugal suffered a devastating 4-1 loss to Denmark in their first match without Cristiano Ronaldo, marking the start of the post-Ronaldo era. The Danish team, led by star player Rasmus Hojlund, showcased a dominant performance, scoring two goals and maintaining a clinical approach throughout the match. Denmark's victory propelled them to second place in Group A4, putting them on the cusp of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Portugal, while still assured of qualification for the last eight, must now hope for a favorable result against third-placed Norway in their next match. Ronaldo, who announced his retirement from international football in the weeks leading up to the match, had a storied career with the Portuguese national team, scoring 146 times in 234 appearances and winning Euro 2016.

His sudden exit from international football caused significant disruption, as Portugal struggled to mount a competitive performance against Denmark. Denmark's victory was a stark contrast to their previous matches, where they had won all four fixtures, and their clinical execution of chances left Portugal's players and fans in disbelief.