Vitinha believes Portugal made significant progress in their attacking capabilities during the 4-2 victory over Denmark, even in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo departed from the national team earlier this week, reportedly due to a disagreement with new coach Jorge Jesus regarding his playing time.
However, without the record goal-scorer for the national team, Portugal dominated the match in Copenhagen,
After Joao Cancelo scored first, Mikkel Damsgaard equalized for Denmark, but Goncalo Ramos quickly restored Portugal’s lead.
Rasmus Hojlund then leveled the score for Denmark early in the second half, celebrating in a style reminiscent of Ronaldo, but goals from Vitinha and substitute Joao Felix secured the victory for Portugal.
Vitinha credited the coach’s strategies and suggested that the team’s attacking play may have been more fluid without Ronaldo leading the front line.
“This is all due to the manager’s efforts,” Vitinha told TVI Noticias.
“We truly had an excellent game, and that’s undeniable.”
“Winning here is vital, especially in such a challenging venue. We learned a lesson two years ago when we lost here. Don’t be misled by the score; it was a tough match.
“Furthermore, this was our best performance yet. We are improving, and the more we work with the coach, the better we understand his vision.
“We’ve taken a step forward in our attacking play.”
Sempre connosco. Obrigado, Portugueses. pic.twitter.com/qruLL2zbZ4
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) October 1, 2026
Vitinha underscored that the team remained focused despite the distractions caused by Ronaldo’s unexpected exit.
“We concentrated on the game, and I think we handled it well,” he remarked.
“Kudos to the entire squad for responding remarkably.”
Portugal outperformed Denmark in expected goals, creating opportunities that totaled 2.25 xG compared to Denmark’s 0.76 xG.
The Selecao took 19 shots, landing 10 on target.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights Portugal’s evolution as a team capable of adapting and thriving without their star player. It suggests that the national team could be entering a new era, promising exciting developments for future matches and tournaments.
Source: www.soccernews.com
