Oct 8, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
Portugal
1-0
Denmark
Moutinho (66')
Patricio (82'), Danilo (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Hojbjerg (25'), Eriksen (43'), Wass (68')

Live Commentary: Portugal 1-0 Denmark - as it happened

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) vies with Denmark's defender Lars Jacobsen during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match Portugal vs Denmark at the Municipal stadium in Braga on October 8, 2015.
© Getty Images
Relive all the action as Portugal secure qualification to Euro 2016 as Group I winners by beating Denmark 1-0 at the Estadio Municipal in Braga.

Portugal secured qualification to Euro 2016 as Group I winners by beating Denmark 1-0 at the Estadio Municipal in Braga.

Needing just a point to clinch their spot at next summer's tournament, Portugal scored the only goal in a cagey encounter when Joao Moutinho produced an emphatic finish to beat Kasper Schmeichel midway through the second half.

The loss leaves Denmark in second spot at the end of their qualifying campaign, but they will be condemned to a playoff if Albania beat Armenia at the weekend.

Read below to find out how the action unfolded.


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7.15pmGood evening everyone. International football takes centre stage this evening as teams aim to clinch a spot at next summer's Euro 2016. Two sides in control of their destiny meet in Group I as leaders Portugal host second-placed Denmark in Braga.

7.17pmPlenty of questions could be answered this evening. A win or draw will allow Portugal to book their place at next summer's tournament, while Denmark will be certain of their own qualification if they pick up an away win and Albania lose to Serbia. Albania are one point behind Denmark and a defeat would open the door to them.

7.20pmDenmark and head coach Morten Olsen come into this game with plenty of pressure on their shoulders after being held to a goalless draw by Armenia last month. That result boosted the hopes of Albania, who could replace them in second and condemn the Danes to a tricky two-legged playoff. A quick reminder that this is Denmark's final game, while Portugal still have two matches to play.

7.24pmPORTUGAL: Patricio; Soares, Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao; Tiago, Moutinho; Danilo, Silva, Nani, Ronaldo

DENMARK: Schmeichel; Jacobsen, Kjaer, Agger, Durmisi; Wass, Hoijberg, Krohn-Delhi; Braithwaite, Eriksen, Bendtner


7.26pmPortugal have made a few slight changes for their latest test, with Atletico Madrid's experienced midfielder Tiago partnering Joao Moutinho. Danilo plays could play just in front of the defence, with Bernardo Silva and Nani starting behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be trusted to lead the line for the hosts.

7.28pmChristian Eriksen missed out for Denmark when they played out that frustrating draw with Armenia last month, but he is back in the side fresh from scoring twice for Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. The playmaker should provide the main support for Nicklas Bendtner. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Daniel Wass are both handed starts.

7.31pmPORTUGAL SUBS: Andre Andre, Eder, Joao Mario, Jose Fonte, Veloso, Quaresma, Ventura, Eduardo, Semedo, Eliseu, Danny, Neto

DENMARK SUBS: Jorgensen, Sisto, Andersen, S. Poulsen, Kvist, Vestergaard, Lossl, Kahlenberg, Sviatchenko, Rasmussen, Y. Poulsen, J. Poulsen


7.34pm

7.36pmPREDICTION: Denmark are under so much pressure this evening, but with Portugal also desperate for a positive result, it really is a tough match to call. The balance looks right for the hosts, who will be hoping that Nani and Silva enjoy good nights to take the pressure off and provide support for Ronaldo. Denmark need Eriksen and Bendtner to link up as often as possible. I'm going for a 2-1 Portugal win.

7.39pmCan Portugal's main man fire again tonight? He scored the only goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time when these two sides met last October.


7.42pmHere we go then. The players are out on the pitch in Braga and kickoff is moments away. Just the national anthems and a few more handshakes to get done now!

1 minKICKOFF! Portugal get the game underway and it immediately becomes clear that Denmark are keen to press the ball high up the pitch.

3 minPortugal win the ball in a good position and get forward with Silva on the right, but Denmark recover well to hold their defensive shape as the hosts are forced to go back with the ball. Promising early signs for the visiting defence.

5 minRonaldo is certain he should have a free kick 30 yards from goal, but the referee decides that Wass won the ball fairly. It's been a fairly quiet start to the game.

7 minBetter from Denmark as Rui Patricio is forced to collect the ball low in the six-yard-box when Braithwaite's cross misses Bendtner by a few inches at the front post. They must be positive this evening. The first goal will be key and Denmark really need to make sure they score it.

10 minDenmark give the ball away in midfield and Portugal send out a warning to the visitors as Silva find Ronaldo, who turns to hit a tame effort from 25 yards which Schmeichel collects easily.

11 minOuch! Dumisi falls awkwardly while attempting to claim a high ball before Coentrao, who wins the free kick and watches his rival come off worse. Patricio had punched clear a dangerous cross just moments earlier with Denmark lacking players in the box.

14 minPortugal are looking composed on the ball in the box, but they are struggling to make progress. Ronaldo is often dropping to deep to get involved with his teammates and it is limiting the options on offer further up the pitch.

15 minEriksen is screaming for the ball after a run into the box, but Bendtner ignores his teammate and slices a wild effort wide of the target after being allowed to take it forward for too long.

17 minCredit to Denmark's defence. They've been excellent so far to deal with the threat of Nani and Silva, whose starting positions are very high up the pitch as Ronaldo continues to roam around.

19 minPortugal take a corner short to Nani, whose cross looks to be heading out until Bruno Alves sends it back into the danger zone. Kjaer reacts quickest to clear the ball before it can reach Ronaldo.

21 minGood work from Portugal as they step up the tempo. Ronaldo fools a couple of defenders by crossing rather than shooting, but Nani is beaten to the ball by Agger as Denmark survive another spell of pressure.

24 minCedric has missed opportunities to put the ball in the box early on, but he produces a superb delivery to put the pressure on Kjaer, who heads clear with Ronaldo behind him. Silva goes down on the edge of the box a few moments later but Mark Clattenburg has no intention of giving him the decision.

25 minYELLOW CARD! Danilo has done well to break up play in midfield in the early stages and he wins a free kick after a brief spell of pressure on the hosts. Hojbjerg picks up a booking for a blatant trip.

27 minPortugal respond well to ensure their defenders are first to the ball when Denmark deliver a few crosses into the box. A loose ball drops to the visitors as Jacobsen finds Wass, whose speculative half-volley sails over the crossbar.

30 minDenmark are growing in confidence as this game progresses, but the men coming forward are not getting into the box quickly enough, which is allowing the hosts to clear any crosses. Portugal threaten to hit them on the break with Silva, whose pass out wide is just too strong for Ronaldo.

32 minIt's Portugal who are struggling to retain possession now as Denmark keep coming back at the home side. A couple of important tackles prevent Eriksen and Braithwaite from getting clear of the defence, before a long spell finally comes to an end.

33 minCLOSE! Denmark make their first defensive mistake of the night as Portugal are gifted the ball on the edge of the box. Ronaldo responds by teeing up Moutinho, who fires just over the crossbar from 25 yards.

35 minPortugal are asking more questions now as Kjaer is forced to clear Silva's dangerous cross before Tiago can add the finishing touch. The following corner is volleyed away at the second attempt as we continue to wait for the first breakthrough.

37 minGood football on show as Tiago takes two defenders out of the game with a clever reverse pass to Coentrao, whose cross from the left is deflected against the outside of the post by Jacobsen. Ronaldo heads wide a few moments later, but he had already been flagged offside.

39 minOFF THE BAR! Excellent work on Danilo once again as he starts the move in midfield. Tiago and Moutinho appear to run out of options on the edge of the box, before the latter's chipped cross is met by Nani, whose looping header hits the top of the crossbar.

42 minYou would have to say that Portugal are looking the sharper. Denmark may take more risks after the break, but chances have been difficult to come by in the first half. The hosts are just edging possession at the moment.

43 minYELLOW CARD! Bendtner is sandwiched by two defenders as he fails to bring down a high cross in the box. Eriksen then picks up a booking for pulling back Silva as Portugal looked to break.

45 minDumisi is certain Denmark should have a corner! He delivers a cross from the left which is awkward for Cedric to block and the ball appears to hit him on the arm as he looks to head away. It may not have been deliberate, but I've seen them given.

8.32pmHALF TIME: PORTUGAL 0-0 DENMARK

8.35pmThe opening 45 minutes come to an end at the Estadio Municipal as Denmark make it to the interval on level terms. Both sides have enjoyed spells on top, but Portugal have looked more dangerous in the final third of the pitch. It is Denmark who really need to come out and ask more questions after the break as they fight for automatic qualification.

8.38pmUPDATE: It is also goalless in tonight's other Group I game, with Albania level against Serbia. An Albania goal could allow them to clinch second spot ahead of Denmark, who will be forced to commit more men forward in the second half. As it stands, Portugal will be assured of their place at the tournament tonight.

8.43pmPortugal are, of course, happy with a point but Santos may be thinking about making changes. Eder and Danny must surely be candidates to come off the bench for the hosts. The introduction of someone else in the centre of attack could benefit Ronaldo, who has been forced to search for opportunities in the first half.

Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen looks a good bet to come on for the visitors. At some stage, Olsen may have to think about giving Bendtner a strike partner.


46 minRESTART! The game is back underway in Braga. Hojbjerg, who picked up a booking in the first half, is replaced by William Kvist. Does Ronaldo hold the key tonight?

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) vies with Denmark's defender Lars Jacobsen during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match Portugal vs Denmark at the Municipal stadium in Braga on October 8, 2015. © Getty Images


47 minOFF THE POST! Denmark are just a few inches away from breaking the deadlock. The visitors keep the pressure on from a cleared corner and a deep cross is flicked to Bendtner, who controls the ball on his chest before rattling the post with a left-foot strike. That's the closest either side have come.

50 minPortugal are just beginning to recover from a shaky start to the second half. Options are at a minimum after a long spell of possession and Nani decides to try his luck with a 25-yard striker that lands in the safe hands of Schmeichel.

52 minCHANCE! Good opportunity for the hosts. Ronaldo drops deep to get involved at the start of an attack as Portugal release Cedric on the right wing. His cross is missed by Tiago but the clearance comes back to the Southampton full-back, who can only drag wide from a promising position in the box.

55 minThe Mexican wave has started in the stands. Is that a sign that this crowd are growing frustrated? Neither side have shown enough quality in the final third of the pitch as Alves steps across to turn Braithwaite's cross behind.

57 minKvist is given far too much room on the left wing and he responds by delivering a cross to Bendtner, who can only send his header over the crossbar under pressure from Alves. The Wolfsburg striker should do better.

58 minSAVE! Ronaldo looks far more threatening when he drifts out to the left wing. A clever touch buys him some space before an effort proves too powerful for Schmeichel to collect. Tiago reacts quickest in the box but the Leicester goalkeeper makes up for his error with an excellent save to deny the midfielder.

60 minBendtner is asking questions of Wass, who wastes a couple of chances to deliver a cross when he takes the ball past two defenders. Denmark need to be making better decision as a promising move eventually ends with Portugal winning a goal kick.

63 minIt just isn't clicking for either side at the moment. One goal should be enough. The lack of clear chances really is down to the two defences. Carvalho, Alves, Agger and Kjaer have all been excellent this evening.

65 minSchmeichel looks far from convincing when he punches clear from a corner. The ball drops to Moutinho, who can only send a speculative half-volley over the crossbar from around 25 yards.

66 minGOAL! PORTUGAL 1-0 DENMARK (MOUTINHO)

67 minStunning! Denmark manage to survive when a dangerous free kick is headed just wide by Tiago, but Portugal keep the pressure on from the corner which follows. Once again the ball drops to Moutinho, who cuts past two defenders on the edge of the box before shifting it back to his right and beating Schmeichel with an emphatic finish. Portugal are cruising to top spot. As it stands, Denmark are looking at a playoff.

68 minYELLOW CARD! It won't come as much surprise to hear that Coentrao is rolling around after barely being touched by Wass, who picks up a booking. He is then removed as Denmark turn to Nicolai Jorgensen.

71 minDenmark are responding well, but Portugal are keeping men behind the ball close to the box to limit the space on offer to the visitors. Carvalho and Alves continue to hold firm.

72 minPortugal look on course for a second goal when a clearance reaches Ronaldo, who knocks the ball past Kjaer on the halfway line. It looked like the defender was trying to bring the Portugal captain down, but it's Ronaldo who is penalised for pushing him out of the way. Looks harsh on the Real Madrid star.

73 minCHANCE! Portugal are inches away from wrapping up the win. A couple of good runs off the ball allow Silva to cut inside a defender and take the ball into the box, but he can only fire just wide of the post on the stretch.

76 minThe pressure is on Portugal now as Coentrao and Carvalho both clear dangerous low crosses from the six-yard-box. Denmark pick up the loose ball but Kvist fires straight at Patricio from long-range.

77 minSUB! Portugal make a change as Silva comes off to be replaced by Danny.

80 minConsidering they need a result, Denmark just have not done enough to make life difficult for the home defence. The final delivery has been poor and they are moving the ball far too slowly. It is the visitors seeing more of the ball as Cedric clears the ball before Eriksen can meet a low cross.

81 minMuch better from the visitors. Eriksen and Jorgensen combine well on the left before the former stands up a cross to find Bendtner, whose glancing header drifts wide of the target.

82 minSUBS: Yussuf Poulsen is given the chance to make an impact as he replaces Eriksen. Portugal then make another change as Ricardo Quaresma comes on for Nani.

84 minThat was just Moutinho's third international goal on his 80th appearance for Portugal. Will it be enough to secure the win?

Portugal's midfielder Joao Moutinho (C) celebrates with teammate midfielder Danilo Pereira (R) next to Denmark's defender Daniel Agger after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match Portugal vs Denmark at the Municipal stadium in Brag© Getty Images


86 minRonaldo wins a free kick around 35 yards from goal and, of course, he is interested. However, there is no spectacular moment from the skipper as he sends an effort well wide of the target.

88 minWorrying signs for Ronaldo, Portugal and Real Madrid when he goes down holding his left knee. It doesn't look to serious, with replays showing that he landed slightly awkwardly after challenging for a header. He limps to the touchline for more treatment.

90 minYELLOW CARD! Danilo picks up a yellow card for pulling back Agger as Denmark win a free kick in a good position. The cross reaches Poulsen, whose header is pushed wide with Patricio unsure whether the ball would have found the bottom corner.

90+1 minSUB! Ronaldo appears to have shaken off that problem. Moutinho comes off to be replaced by Jose Fonte as Portugal look to clinch the win. Denmark then come close again as Agger forces Patricio to push the ball over after meeting the corner with a powerful header.

90+2 minSAVE! The excitement has finally arrived in this match. Portugal break quickly and Quaresma finds Ronaldo, who throws in a couple of step-overs before unleashing a strike which Schmeichel beats away. Quaresma then sends a weak effort straight at the Leicester goalkeeper.

90+4 minA long throw comes in from Kvist as Denmark search for an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time. Portugal twice miss the opportunity to clear the danger, but they are let off the hook when Bendtner is caught offside.

9.38pmFULL TIME: PORTUGAL 1-0 DENMARK

9.40pmMoutinho's strike has proven to be enough for Portugal, who book their spot at Euro 2016 as Group I winners. All hope is not lost for Denmark, who will be happy to hear that Albania have lost 2-0 to Serbia. However, Denmark will be condemned to a playoff spot if Albania beat Armenia at the weekend.

9.41pmOur live text coverage comes to an end here as Portugal clinch all three points, while Denmark wait to see if they will qualify automatically or head into a two-legged playoff. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodnight everyone.

Albania's Burim Kukeli (L) vies with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (R) during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Albania and Portugal at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan on September 7, 2015.
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