Ronaldo left Portugal's camp on Wednesday. On Thursday, Denmark host the Nations League holders without him.

Denmark host Portugal at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Thursday. Kickoff is 8.45pm local, 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT. Portugal, the Nations League holders, lead Group A4 on six points from two games; Denmark have three. 123

Portugal will play without their captain. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, left the squad's camp on Wednesday, hours after coach Jorge Jesus said he would not start. 45

Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Sunday's 2-1 win in Oslo and did not join his team-mates in going to the travelling fans. 4 He then posted that he would "in time" tell the Portuguese "the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave". 4 The federation said preparations continue with the remaining 24 players. 4

Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner in Norway and keeps the striker's place. 4 Bruno Fernandes missed Norway with an injury he brought from Manchester United. 6

Denmark beat Wales 2-0 at Parken on Sunday, their first win since March, with Mikkel Damsgaard player of the match and Gustav Isaksen scoring after an earlier goal was ruled out. 7 The win eased the pressure on coach Brian Riemer. 7 Winger Patrick Dorgu has gone home to Manchester United with a suspected hamstring problem. 6

The last meeting was a two-legged quarter-final in March 2025: Portugal won the second leg 5-2 in Lisbon after extra time to go through 5-3, and won the trophy in Munich in June. 38

Verdict: Portugal have looked sharper without Ronaldo than with him. Copenhagen is where that stops being a compliment.