Life After CR7 Begins with a Bruise: Denmark Crush Portugal 4-1.

Life After CR7 Begins with a Bruise: Denmark Crush Portugal 4-1.

BRAGA: Portugal wanted a heartfelt send-off for the greatest player in their history. Denmark gave them a harsh reality check instead. In the Selecao's first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football, the Danes hammered them 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League.

A night of tribute, a night of pain

Portugal were beaten 4-1 by Denmark on Saturday, an embarrassing Nations League defeat in their first game since Ronaldo's retirement. The match was the fifth round of the Nations League, played in Braga.

The occasion was always going to be emotional. Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on November 5, leaving as Portugal's all-time leader in appearances (234 caps) and goals (146). He also captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and was part of their Nations League-winning squads in 2019 and 2025.

The No. 7 tribute

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) found a fitting way to mark the moment, changing how the famous number looks on the national team's shirt. The shirt was modified, and the squad was set to wear the number seven during pre-match ceremonies, with further honours planned for the seventh minute of the match.

The gesture carries history. Before Ronaldo, the number belonged to Luis Figo. Ronaldo took it over after the 2006 World Cup and kept it for two decades. Handing it to the next generation was never going to be a routine matter. UEFA's official match sheet listed Carlos Forbs in the shirt, while Rafael Leao, the natural candidate, was out injured. Another report said Leao would inherit the modified shirt, so confirm who wore it before you publish that detail.

Denmark crash the party

If the pre-match ceremony was about gratitude, the match itself was about hard lessons. Without their talisman, Portugal struggled to find the form that has made them one of Europe's most feared sides in recent years. The scoreline will sting even more for a team that has leaned on Ronaldo's goals and presence for so long.

The defeat also gives Denmark a boost. Denmark, who earlier beat Wales 3-1, will go through with a draw against third-placed Norway on Tuesday.

Context: a messy exit

The hammering comes after a turbulent few weeks around Ronaldo and the national team. His retirement followed a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus, and Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp in September. Portugal did win the earlier meeting with Denmark 4-2, their first match without Ronaldo after he left the camp, which made this heavy defeat a sharp reversal.

What it means

For Portugal, the loss is a reminder that replacing a legend is rarely smooth. Ronaldo's records, leadership and aura cannot be copied overnight, and the team now has to build an identity without the man who defined it.

There is also hope. Portugal have a deep pool of talent, and the early rebuilding stage is the best time to learn from mistakes. Tributes can honour the past, but results shape the future, and Jesus will want answers quickly.

For now, Denmark take the headlines and Portugal take the lessons. Ronaldo's No. 7 stays in the history books, whoever ends up wearing it next.