Francisco Trincão Inspires Portugal to Thrilling 5-2 Win Over Denmark in Nations League Quarter Final

Portugal booked their place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals with a dramatic 5-2 win over Denmark in Lisbon. The match saw several twists, a missed penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo, and most importantly, a stunning extra-time brace from Francisco Trincão, who came off the bench to completely turn the game around. Played at the Estádio José Alvalade, this quarterfinal clash was packed with intensity and unpredictability from start to finish. It was not only a test of technical skill but also a showcase of mental strength, and Francisco Trincão stood out as the unexpected hero of the night.

First Half: Portugal Miss Chances, Denmark Holds Strong

Portugal dominated the early stages of the match and had a perfect chance to take the lead in the 6th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo earned a penalty. However, Kasper Schmeichel guessed correctly and denied Ronaldo with a brilliant low save to his left. Despite this miss, Portugal kept pushing forward, and their pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute when Denmark's Joachim Andersen accidentally headed a Bruno Fernandes corner into his own net. Denmark managed to hold on and regroup at half-time, knowing they had to raise their performance in the second half to stay in the match.

Second Half: The Match Comes Alive

Denmark came out with renewed energy and quickly responded. In the 56th minute, Rasmus Kristensen converted from a corner to make it 1-1. The momentum began to shift, but Portugal answered right back. In the 72nd minute, Ronaldo squeezed a shot past Schmeichel from a tight angle, putting the hosts back in front. That lead didn’t last long, though. Just four minutes later, Christian Eriksen tapped in from close range after being set up by Patrick Dorgu, leveling the game at 2-2. With both teams refusing to give up, the match reached a new level of excitement.

Francisco Trincão Changes the Game

As the match neared full-time, Roberto Martínez introduced Francisco Trincão, a move that would prove to be decisive. In the 86th minute, Trincão capitalized on a loose ball and struck a powerful shot on the bounce into the net, tying the game once again and sending it into extra time. But Trincão wasn’t finished. Just minutes into extra time, he curled in a stunning finish from the edge of the box, giving Portugal the lead for the first time. His quick thinking, technical finesse, and hunger to score re-energized the entire Portuguese team and broke Denmark’s momentum.

Sealing the Win

Portugal took full control in extra time. As Denmark showed signs of fatigue, Portugal pushed forward with confidence. In the 115th minute, Gonçalo Ramos tapped in the fifth goal after a smooth attacking build-up. With that, Portugal sealed a 5-2 victory, and the crowd in Lisbon erupted with joy.

Post-Match Reactions

Coach Roberto Martínez praised his team’s determination and adaptability, saying, “This was a performance full of character. We didn’t panic. We stayed focused, and Francisco Trincão changed the game.”

Francisco Trincão himself remained humble in his post-match comments: “I’m always ready to help the team. I was told to shoot more often, and tonight, I just took my chances.”

Teammate Diogo Jota added, “That’s the strength of our squad. Everyone on the bench has the quality to make an impact  and Francisco showed that today.”

Match Statistics

• Francisco Trincão scored twice in extra time.

• Portugal extended their home winning streak to 10 competitive matches.

• Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty but also scored.

• Denmark equalized twice but couldn’t keep up in extra time.

Final Thoughts

This quarterfinal will be remembered not just for its high scoreline, but for the way Francisco Trincão stepped up when his team needed him most. His performance was a reminder that in football, it’s not always the stars who steal the show — sometimes it’s the rising talents who create history. If you’re interested in more updates like this, click here to read how Japan became the first team to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026 and explore more international football highlights.