sports

Denmark vs Portugal: Nations League Team News, H2H & Match Guide

Denmark vs Portugal meets at Parken in Copenhagen on Thursday, 1 October 2026 in UEFA Nations League A Group 4. Portugal arrive top of the group with six points from two matches, while Denmark have three after responding to an opening defeat in Norway with a 2-0 home win over Wales.

The fixture also renews a recent Nations League rivalry. Denmark beat Portugal 1-0 in Copenhagen in the 2025 quarter-final first leg before Portugal won the return 5-2 after extra time to advance 6-3 on aggregate. This time the teams meet in the league phase with the Group A4 table already beginning to take shape.

For the Denmark vs Portugal live score, confirmed lineups and changing match statistics, follow SP Score once the match begins.

Denmark vs Portugal match details

Match informationDetails
CompetitionUEFA Nations League 2026/27
League / GroupLeague A – Group A4
DateThursday, 1 October 2026
Kick-off20:45 Copenhagen local / 20:45 SAST / 18:45 UTC
VenueParken, Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark coachBrian Riemer
Portugal coachJorge Jesus

The Danish Football Association confirms Parken as the venue and 20:45 as the local kick-off time. Denmark stay in the same international window for an away match against Wales on 4 October, while Portugal host Norway.

READ ALSO: Türkiye vs France: Nations League preview, team news and H2H

League A Group A4 standings and recent results

Denmark vs Portugal results enter Matchday 3 with Portugal holding the only perfect record in Group A4. Jorge Jesus’ side beat Wales 1-0 and Norway 2-1, while Denmark recovered from a 3-2 defeat in Oslo by beating Wales 2-0 at Parken.

TeamPWDLGF-GAPts
Portugal22003-16
Norway21014-43
Denmark21014-33
Wales20020-30
Team24 Sep27 Sep
DenmarkNorway 3-2 DenmarkDenmark 2-0 Wales
PortugalPortugal 1-0 WalesNorway 1-2 Portugal

The top two teams in each League A group progress to the quarter-finals. A Denmark win would bring them level with Portugal on six points, while another Portuguese victory would create a significant gap over the chasing teams.

READ ALSO: Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Nations League match preview

Denmark vs Portugal team news

Denmark vs Portugal team news has changed sharply on the Portuguese side. Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal camp in Copenhagen on 30 September after discussions around his role under Jorge Jesus and will not play against Denmark.

Portugal had already shown they can win without Ronaldo when he remained an unused substitute in the 2-1 victory over Norway. João Félix opened the scoring in Oslo and Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner after Erling Haaland had equalised. Bruno Fernandes missed that match with a fitness issue, so his status is another point to watch before the starting lineups are confirmed.

Denmark’s current Nations League squad includes Filip Jørgensen, Joachim Andersen, Joakim Mæhle, Patrick Dorgu, Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Gustav Isaksen, Rasmus Højlund and Mikkel Damsgaard. Isaksen and Damsgaard were among the scorers across Denmark’s first two group matches, while Højlund remains one of Brian Riemer’s central attacking options.

Possible Denmark vs Portugal lineups

Denmark vs Portugal lineups will be confirmed shortly before kick-off, but UEFA’s current squad lists show the options available to both coaches. Denmark can build around Jørgensen in goal, Andersen and Mæhle in defence, Hjulmand and Højbjerg in midfield, with Højlund, Isaksen and Damsgaard among the attacking choices.

Portugal’s available group includes Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, João Cancelo, João Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, João Neves, Vitinha, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, Rafael Leão and Pedro Neto. Ronaldo’s departure removes one major selection question and makes Ramos, Félix and the wide forwards more important to the attacking plan.

The confirmed starting elevens should take precedence over projected teams because both sides are playing their third match in a demanding international window.

Denmark vs Portugal H2H

Denmark vs Portugal H2H is led historically by Portugal, but the most relevant recent meetings came in the 2025 Nations League quarter-finals. Denmark won the first leg 1-0 at Parken before Portugal overturned the tie in Lisbon.

DateFixtureResultCompetition
23 Mar 2025Portugal vs DenmarkPortugal 5-2 Denmark (AET)Nations League QF
20 Mar 2025Denmark vs PortugalDenmark 1-0 PortugalNations League QF
8 Oct 2015Portugal vs DenmarkPortugal 1-0 DenmarkEURO qualifying
14 Oct 2014Denmark vs PortugalDenmark 0-1 PortugalEURO qualifying
13 Jun 2012Denmark vs PortugalDenmark 2-3 PortugalUEFA EURO

The 5-2 result in Lisbon and Denmark’s 1-0 first-leg win explain why both scorelines remain closely associated with this fixture. They also show that Denmark have recent evidence of beating Portugal at Parken, even though Portugal ultimately won the quarter-final tie 6-3 on aggregate.

READ ALSO: Portugal World Cup 2026: squad, fixtures, results and group table

Denmark vs Portugal stats and key players

Denmark vs Portugal stats show both teams have scored three or more goals across the first two rounds, but Portugal hold the stronger defensive record. Denmark have four goals and three conceded; Portugal have three goals and one conceded.

Gustav Isaksen and Rasmus Højlund give Denmark direct running and penalty-area presence, while Mikkel Damsgaard can create from between the lines. Hjulmand and Højbjerg offer experience in the centre of midfield against a Portugal unit built around technical control.

Portugal have already had goals from different attackers in this campaign. João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos scored in Oslo, and the absence of Ronaldo increases the importance of Ramos, Félix, Rafael Leão and Pedro Neto. Vitinha and João Neves can also influence how much possession Portugal establish at Parken.

Denmark vs Portugal prediction and match outlook

Denmark vs Portugal prediction discussion has to balance Portugal’s six-point start against Denmark’s strong home response to Wales and their 1-0 win over Portugal at Parken in March 2025.

Portugal have produced the more consistent opening two rounds and have already shown they can win away from home without Ronaldo. Denmark, however, are capable of making Parken difficult through midfield pressure, quick wide attacks and Højlund’s movement through the centre.

Rather than treating either side as an automatic winner, the stronger match indicators are Portugal’s control in midfield, Denmark’s home intensity and which team handles the transitions better. The first goal could be especially important because both teams have players suited to attacking space once the game opens.

Denmark vs Portugal live, highlights and where to watch

Denmark vs Portugal live coverage begins at 20:45 in Copenhagen and 20:45 SAST, with kick-off at 18:45 UTC. Broadcast availability varies by territory, so viewers should check UEFA and authorised local listings for confirmed coverage where they are.

Confirmed lineups normally appear shortly before kick-off. Live-score coverage will track goals, cards, substitutions, match statistics and the Group A4 table. Denmark vs Portugal highlights should be available through authorised competition and broadcast channels after the match, subject to local rights.

Related UEFA Nations League and Portugal coverage

Continue with related international football coverage on SportPesa South Africa:

• Türkiye vs France: Nations League preview, team news and H2H

• Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Nations League match preview

• Portugal World Cup 2026: squad, fixtures, results and group table

• Portugal vs Congo: World Cup preview and prediction

Denmark vs Portugal FAQs

When is Denmark vs Portugal?

The UEFA Nations League match is on Thursday, 1 October 2026.

What time is Denmark vs Portugal?

Kick-off is at 20:45 in Copenhagen, 20:45 SAST and 18:45 UTC.

Where is Denmark vs Portugal being played?

The match is at Parken in Copenhagen, Denmark.

What group are Denmark and Portugal in?

They are in UEFA Nations League A Group A4 with Norway and Wales.

How have Denmark started the Nations League?

Denmark lost 3-2 away to Norway before beating Wales 2-0 at Parken, leaving them on three points after two matches.

How have Portugal started the Nations League?

Portugal beat Wales 1-0 and Norway 2-1, giving them six points from two matches.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing against Denmark?

No. Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp on 30 September and will not feature in Copenhagen.

What happened in Portugal vs Denmark 5-2?

Portugal beat Denmark 5-2 after extra time in the second leg of the 2025 Nations League quarter-final and advanced 6-3 on aggregate.

When did Denmark beat Portugal 1-0?

Denmark won 1-0 at Parken on 20 March 2025 in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.

Where can I follow Denmark vs Portugal live?

Broadcast rights vary by territory. Check UEFA and authorised local listings for viewing information and use live-score coverage for match events and statistics.

Conclusion

Denmark vs Portugal brings together the top two scoring sides in Group A4 after the opening two rounds, with Portugal leading on six points and Denmark among the chasing teams on three. Parken also gives the fixture recent context after Denmark’s 1-0 home win over Portugal in March 2025.

Portugal arrive with two wins but without Cristiano Ronaldo, while Denmark have regained momentum after beating Wales. The midfield battle, Portugal’s revised attacking setup and Denmark’s ability to create chances for Højlund and their wide players should shape the match.

For more international football coverage, visit SportPesa South Africa Blog. 18+. Gambling is addictive. Play responsibly.

Source originale: blog.sportpesa.co.za →