Portugal needed two things to happen to salvage their qualification hopes: first they needed a draw in Hungary, so neither Hungary or Sweden would gain max points and their own victory against group leaders Denmark. Neither happened, but they managed to at least live to see another game with a late draw in Copenhagen. The Portuguese haven't looked convincing during qualification and needed at least a positive showing to prove that the loads of talent they start on the pitch can get the job done. Yet despite one of the strongest midfields, Portugal has no stand-out striker and goals have been hard to come by. Denmark have been one of the sturdier sides throughout the past two years, and have the perfect mixture of experience and youth in their side to produce quality results against any oppositon. This match proved exactly why I said Portugal would miss out on qualification, let me explain why.

 

First, bask in the glory that is Nicklas Bendtner's opening goal just before the half. Arsenal fans must be wondering where this skill is while he is on the pitch for them, because this is an incredible display of composure and experience from the 21 year old:

 

Back to the report. Looking at Portugal's initial lineup I was quick to note the blatant lack of a striker. I know that Ronaldo's goal record is rather good, and he can play up front, but he is not a striker, and he has no idea how to hold the ball up top. If Ronaldo has the ball, he is running with it, never holding it. What this means is that unless Ronaldo beats the entire defense, he has no support because he doesn't wait for his midfield to push up, thus meaning if his initial shot misses the corner of the net the ball gets cleared. This run-and-gun offense doesn't suit a team like Portugal who have oodles of class running around the center of the pitch. 

Meanwhile Denmark played a smart game on the wings, with Bendtner, who does know how to hold the ball, producing quality layoffs to Rommedahl and Tomasson. I think one of the greatest lineup choices I have seen recently is the Danish lineup. They smash the aerial ability and close control of the youthful Bendtner between the speed and experience of Rommedahl and Tomasson (who have almost 200 caps combined).

Portugal finally looked significant when they through on Nuno Gomes. The most capped player on this Portuguese squad, who also has the best scoring record, brough stability to the front line. While Nani and Ronaldo were dribbling into no man's land, Gomes would control the ball and almost even managed a winner with a quality glancing header. Portugal were lucky to manage the tie, but must know that failure to win on Wednesday spells the end of their World Cup, as well as the end of many quality player's Portuguese careers.

Other Notes:

-The referee was atrocious, and the Portuguese were diving everywhere, it was gross. Ronaldo's free kicks were awful though so it really didn't matter.

-In what world is Ronaldo your choice for captain of a squad that boasts names like Deco, Carvalho and Simao, who are all at least five years older and 25 years more mature than the new Galactico. Dumbest thing I have ever seen is Ronaldo with the armband on.

-I'm pretty sure Pepe is a worse diver than Ronaldo, which is strange considering last I checked he was a center back.

-It should be noted that I correctly predicted the outcome of this match. I am amazing.

 

Man of the Match: Dennis Rommedahl. For the sheer fact that he was the best dribbler on the pitch, which of course included the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo. Rommedahl with the ball on his foot in this match was pure magic, and the Portugal defense looked terrified as the experienced winger marched down the field at full steam.

 

Ratings:

Denmark

Andersen 6 - Solid in the back, produced multiple quality saves near the end. His theatrics after the goal were bad, however.

Jacobsen 6.5 - Injury hampered his game at the end, which is too bad because he dealt well with Ronaldo, though he committed a few too many fouls.

Christensen 6.5 - The back line really deserved the win. Portugal floundered against them and Christensen was the anchor. He also committed too many fouls though which lead to many nerve-searing free kicks.

Kjaer 7.5 - This kid is 20 years old, and is easily the most talented of the back three. Nothing came from the left side of the Portugal attack, and it is directly correlated to the work of Kjaer.

C. Poulsen 6.5 - The Juventus holding mid played well, but near the end needed more control and less boots into empty space. He has the talent, just didn't use it at the end.

Silberbauer 6 - I had no idea who this guy was and still really haven't figured it out, a rather bland display from a player I had never heard of.

J. Poulsen 6 - The players in the center of the pitch really didn't see the ball often near the end, as Rommedahl and Tomasson did all the work, but they distributed it out there well.

Rommedahl 8 - Unlucky not to score after a quality layoff from Bendtner, they aged winger kept whoever was supposed to be playing on the left of the Portuguese defense constantly on their heels.

Jorgensen 6 - Invisible behind the work of the more industrious DR and JDT, did his work drawing defenders away from big Nick.

Tomasson 7 - Shows his age a bit more than DR, but still has all the class about him. Quality touches on the ball and the ability to drift out left and attack inward produced some quality counter attacks.

Bendtner 7.5 - An amazing piece of skill on the goal, the young forward seems to have forgotten his ego, at least while he plays with Denmark. He was the creator of almost any attacking piece of football for the Danish team.

Subs:

Norregaard 6 - On for Jorgensen when the Danes were smashed into their own box, didn't really make an impact, though gave them another defensive option.

Kvist 5 - On for the injured Jacobsen, but couldn't deal with the right sided attack like the experienced defender could. A tough situation to come into, though.

Gronkjaer N/R - No time to make an impact, my father and I got a chuckle out of his introduction though, as he used to be a Chelsea player (one that neither of us liked at all).

 

Portugal

Eduardo 6 - Really nothing he could have done on the goal, Eduardo did not get tested the second half, though Rommedahl's low drive almost crept into the corner.

Bosingwa 5.5 - I'm pretty sure he stopped playing defense around the 60 minute mark, he ended up on the left flank for a second, confusing me profusely.

Carvalho 6 - The only one not at fault for the Bendtner goal, Ricky had a decent game, the calmest of the players at the back.

Pepe 4 - His diving was gross, but beyond that he failed to step to Bendnter on the goal.

Bruno Alves 4.5 - Invisible near the end, which is either a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. Also had a major part to play in Denmark's goal.

Tiago 3 - Sacraficed at the half for a striker, which made sense, Offside player of the game.

Deco 5 - Would have been more useful if Ronaldo didn't constantly run straight into the Danish defense.

Duda 4 - His passes were poor, and his shots were even worse, Not sure why he wasn't taken off instead of Simao.

Meireles 4.5 - Mostly invisible, though it was hard for the midfield to make an impact without getting any service back from the attacking players.

Simao 5 - I thought he was playing rather well, plus he has great experience, perhaps his old legs are catching up with him.

Ronaldo 4 - Again, it becomes a one man team when Ronaldo is losing, he really needs to learn to keep his head up after going down and use his players. It isn't a personal battle.

Subs:

Liedson 6 - Finally brought an attacking stance to the Portuguese game, scored on his debut (at the ripe age of 31) to save Portuguese blushes.

Nani 5 - Dribbles too much and some of his touches went straight out of bounds, not a quality performance from the United player.

Nuno Gomes 6 - Portugal's best attacking threat, should have started. If Nuno Gomes had started this match, I belive they would have won. It will be interesting to see what Queiroz does on Wednesday.

 

Overall it was an exciting match and I can't wait to see Portugal's reaction on Wednesday. Let me know what you thought of the game if you happened to be watching it as well.