On the evening of March 20, 2025, the Portuguese national football team will face off against Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The highly anticipated match, kicking off at 20:45 (local time), marks a significant moment for both teams as they vie for a place in the semi-finals.
The Portuguese, led by coach Roberto Martinez, are no strangers to success in this competition, having previously won the tournament in 2019. They come into this match with high hopes, bolstered by a strong group performance, finishing atop their group in the League A stage with four wins and two draws, giving them a six-point cushion over second-placed Croatia. This solid form saw them remain undefeated throughout the group stage, which emphasizes their aspirations to replicate past successes.
However, the Portuguese face a formidable opponent in Denmark, who despite being regarded as an underdog, have delivered impressive performances in their recent outings. This summer, Denmark aims to upset the odds and reach the semi-finals, but they must navigate the challenging hurdle posed by the seasoned Portuguese squad.
The match will not be entirely broadcasted in France on L'Équipe; instead, subscribers can catch the live stream via L'Équipe Live Foot, which will include coverage of other matches in the Nations League multi-screen format. Viewers in Portugal can tune in on RTP 1 and Sport TV1, while DAZN Belgium will also broadcast the game in its entirety.
The Portuguese lineup features some of the most well-known names in football, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who at age 40 is gearing up for his 218th cap and is determined to add to his tally of 5 goals from the group stage. Ronaldo’s performance will be crucial as the team looks to secure a favorable outcome ahead of the return leg in Lisbon.
Meanwhile, Denmark, currently navigating some injury setbacks, will be without key player Pierre-Emile Højbjerg for this crucial fixture. The Danish coach, Brian Riemer, plans to field an experienced 4-3-3 formation, featuring emerging talents such as Mika Biereth, who previously shone at AS Monaco, and is set to make his debut for the national team. Biereth is coming off an excellent streak of scoring 11 goals in 12 games, which has certainly raised expectations for his performance as Denmark looks to capitalize on home advantage.
The stakes are particularly high as both teams are eager to advance to the semi-finals, potentially facing either Italy or Germany in the next round, depending on the match outcomes. Only one can proceed, and with a combination of seasoned professionals mixed with younger talents, this match has all the ingredients for an exciting clash.
Statistically, Portugal has triumphed over Denmark in four of their last five meetings, a record that includes their last two encounters, both of which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Portuguese during the Euro 2016 qualifiers. This will no doubt serve as both a motivator and a reminder for Denmark as they prepare to reclaim their pride in front of home supporters.
The meeting tonight will serve as a critical point in assessing both teams’ readiness for the European football stage as they gear up for what promises to be a thrilling quarter-final. Fans from both countries will undoubtedly look forward to a match filled with excitement, skill, and hopefully, a few standout moments that highlight the talents we expect from these elite teams.
