Denmark vs Portugal - Player Ratings | OneFootball

UEFA Nations League QF First Leg

The Seleção were battered in Copenhagen last night yet somehow walked away with all still to play for in Lisbon.

Unable to generate attacking threat, Portugal GK Diogo Costa put the squad on his shoulders, denying Christian Eriksen from the spot after Veiga's unintentional handball. But Vitinha, João Neves, and Bruno Fernandes simply could not leverage their club form while Semedo and Dalot both struggled to assert themselves in the absence of the injured João Cancelo.

Meanwhile, concern grows regarding the attacking end of Portugal's formation with Ronaldo on the wane and neither Leão nor Neto able to wrest victory from the jaws of defeat.

PortuGOAL.net's Nathan Motz has your player ratings from last night's action.

Starters

Diogo Costa – 9/10 PortuGOAL.net's Man of the Match

Terrific performance. The only player who looked up to the challenge. Added yet another penalty kick save to his collection. Costa made seven stops, many at full stretch when the defense in front of him had been carved to pieces. If Portugal do somehow go through after the second leg, Costa will be one of the key reasons. Højlund’s goal, while fair on the balance of play, was surely cruel in light of Costa’s heroics.

Diogo Dalot – 6.5

Beleaguered of late, Dalot’s passing was wayward at times and he registered the fewest touches of any player on the backline. His night will be remembered, however, for the goalline clearance just before half-time which kept Portugal in the tie. Took off a bit early after he was booked and Portugal seem a bit thin at right back with Cancelo injured.

Renato Veiga – 7

Tied for most tackles (5) and top for clearances (6) on the night. Had Portugal’s best chance to score all evening when he drove in an opening half loose ball that Schmeichel turned away. Made some mistakes here and there, especially with his positioning. But with respect to other CB options currently, Veiga will feel confident this performance further cemented his place in the starting XI.

Rúben Dias – 6.5

A busy night for Dias. Though not an aerial threat like Pepe once was, Dias got on the end of a few corners to create havoc in the penalty area. He took better care of the ball than his counterpart Veiga, but was all at sea for Højlund to slip in and open the scoring late in the match.

Nuno Mendes – 7.5

Did his part to divert the first half onslaught, thumping a rebounded shot out as it bounced toward goal. Some great recoveries and continually industrious, but Isaksen and co. kept him more preoccupied than he might have liked. Though not solely at fault, he was late getting back to prevent Højlund's goal.

João Neves – 6

A couple of tackles here and there, but if your side has no singular DM you’d like to see your No.8s provide better coverage. Neves took decent care of the ball, but supported largely harmless possession. Little vertical spread to his passing game. The youngster has much to learn about the rigors of international duty.

Bruno Fernandes – 5.5

Only one harmless shot all evening, Bruno created very little for others. Another instance where Bruno seems incompatible with the playing style of Portugal’s other midfielders, in this case Neves and Vitinha. With Bernardo Silva on the bench, the side needed Bruno to perform well and this anonymous display is in stark contrast with his sparkling Manchester United form.

Vitinha – 7

On the ball more than any other player as usual, but even the PSG maestro could not elevate Portugal’s ponderous, horizontal back-and-forth passing rhythm. Booked for a late challenge in the second half, Vitinha placed one effort well wide of target, and notched two key passes while completing 78/81 attempts. His partnership with Neves and Fernandes was less a protective lattice than it was a leaky sieve.

Pedro Neto – 6

Much more involved than Portugal’s other forwards but with very little end product. Need more from him in 1v1s. This was a match when opportunities to transition the game between the lines were not available. Ideal for a dynamite winger. Neto needs a big moment and all will have to wait until Sunday to see if he can deliver one.

Rafael Leão – 5.5

Not on the ball nearly enough to help this squad. While that isn’t entirely on him, his hunger to affect proceedings is lacking compared to Neto who tracked back more diligently and finished with nearly twice as many touches. Leão skinned Kristensen and Andersen once in the first half to set up a Ronaldo header off target. Otherwise, the Danes physically corralled him and he was rudely dispossessed twice.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 5.5

He still wants to, but just after the half he couldn’t take a Nuno Mendes pass in stride when well-positioned to shoot. His mistouch allowed the defense to close in and block his shot. Completed 24/24 passes but no shots on target, no key passes, and no joy for Portugal’s long serving talisman. Will only have increased cries to start him on the bench. The question remains – who takes his place with Ramos injured and both Félix and Jota in mediocre form?

Substitutes

Nélson Semedo – 6

An understandable substitution given Dalot’s booking, but Semedo could not meaningfully influence proceedings. Only 71% passing on 24 touches in around 25 minutes. Further exposed Portugal’s need for a standout RB to complement Nuno Mendes on the other flank.

Gonçalo Inácio – 4.5

Came on and immediately misjudged the flight of a long ball over the top allowing Højlund to get the wrong side of him and have a free run at goal. From a guy who has any intention of securing a long-term partnership with Rúben Dias, it’s just not good enough.

Rúben Neves – 6

Had one effort from range go over the top but was not well-involved otherwise. Hard to understand what Neves offers which Palhinha can’t outdo, and this performance does nothing to alter that understanding.