Portugal suffer nightmare start to life without Ronaldo in Denmark drubbing

The evening started with the unveiling of a permanent re-design for the No 7 icon as Portugal embraced a new dawn without their polarising record cap holder and goalscorer.

Seemingly revered and maligned in equal measure these days, it had been suggested that Portugal would be now better off without Cristiano Ronaldo, whose powers in an international shirt had waned significantly prior to an explosive early exit from last month's camp which turned out to be the catalyst to him calling time on representing his country.

But life after the former Manchester United and Real Madrid attacker didn't get off to the ideal start as Jorge Jesus' side were thrashed 4-1 in their own backyard by Denmark.

Goncalos Ramos once again led the line with a supporting cast of Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto. Not exactly a shortage of star-power.

But it was the other end where the goals flowed with Pierre-Emile Hojberg's 43rd minute penalty well and truly opening the Portuguese floodgates.

Rasmus Hojlund, who missed out on playing with Ronaldo at Old Trafford by seven months, was then at the double netting four minutes after the break and then eight minutes after that. Joachim Anderson scored a fourth in the 75th minute to rub salt in Portuguese wounds.

Bernardo Silva did find the back of the net in additional time but the damage had already been done on a desperately sobering night for the natives in Braga.

While defeat for Jesus' side means they will have to wait until the final matchday to discover if they will win their Group A4, Denmark would still need to win and hope Portugal lose in order to pip them to top spot.