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While Cristiano Ronaldo failed to show what he’s best known for, Arsenal man, Nicklas Bendtner stepped up his game a notch and scored two brilliant goals to give Denmark that glimer of hope of a victory. Unfortunately, substitute Silvestre Varela made an instant impact coming off the bench when he lashed home a ferocious effort three minutes from the end to keep alive Portugal’s hopes of making the quarter-finals.
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Stephen Andersen (6.5)
He had a mixed game. Saved Ronaldo’s shot well, but could’ve done better with saving the shots from Postiga and Varela. Will have to up his game against Germany.
Lars Jacobsen (7.5)
Had an excellent game, dealt with Ronaldo well when he attacked down left and looked dangerous when going forward. His great cross into box set up his team’s second goal.
Simon Kjaer (6)
Struggled with his defense and provided Portugal with the opportunity to score their second goal.
Daniel Agger (6)
The Danish captain made quite a few good challenges, but it wasn’t enough to ensure a win for his team. He was good on the ground, but his aerial tackles lacked class.
Simon Poulsen (5.5)
Struggled with marking Nani who managed to get past him many times. He later passed the ball directly to Postiga to set up a counterattack that could easily have ended in a goal.
William Kvist (6.5)
Played a major role in the Danes midfield, ensuring maximum ball possession for Denmark. Also, he came within inches of equalising with a long-range blast.
Niki Zimling (off 16′) (6)
Didn’t have much to do and was pulled out with an injury early on into the game. Is a solid midfielder and will be missed in the next game if his injury proves serious.
Dennis Rommedahl (off 60′) (6.5)
Gave Coentrao the runaround early, but sustained a knock to his ankle and was substituted.
Christian Eriksen (7)
Covered plenty of ground, and was much better than against Netherlands. Failed to create much of an impact though, but still remains a player to look out for.
Michael Krohn-Dehli (off 90′) (7.5)
The hero in the Netherlands match provided the perfect set-up for Bendtner’s goal, helping Denmark to 2-1. Troubled Pereira at times, but could have asserted himself more.
Nicklas Bendtner (8)
The Arsenal striker was anonymous for forty minutes but he was at the right place and the right time and scored two important goals for the Danes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to secure a win for Denmark.
Subs
Jakob Poulsen (on 16′) (6)
Poulsen was rash with his challenges and earned a card for his efforts.
Tobias Mikkelsen (on 60′) (6)
Mikkelsen rarely did anything to cover up for Rommedahl’s absence and it was a poor outing for the midfielder.
Lasse Schone (on 90′)
Rui Patricio (6)
Didn’t have much to do during the entire game and there was little he could do to stop both of Bendtner’s shots. Made a good but regulation save from a long-range Eriksen shot.
Joao Pereira (6)
Pereira lacks Jose Bosingwa’s attacking flair and he wasn’t able to really curb Krohn-Dehli’s advances down the left.
Bruno Alves (7)
Was rather effective in curbing the Danish attack, but it could’ve earned him a needless caution.
Pepe (7.5)
He cleared every loose ball and made some strong tackles. Also scored Portugal’s goal when he rose high to power home a corner from Joao Moutinho in the 24th minute. He was however culpable for Bendtner’s second goal as he jumped a fraction too early and was unable to head Jacobsen’s swerving cross away.
Fabio Coentrao (7)
Had a quiet game, showing few glimpses of his ability going forward, until his run down left set up the winning goal.
Raul Meireles (off 84′) (6.5)
Played one good ball to Nani early, but wasted many others. The Chelsea man is now in danger of being suspended after picking up a silly yellow card.
Miguel Veloso (6.5)
Started well and delivered several fantastic balls into the box from open play and set pieces but had less impact as the game wore on.
Joao Moutinho (7)
Was instrumental with his passing and set pieces, and it was his corner that set up Portugal’s first goal.
Nani (off 89′) (7.5)
Probably Portugal’s best player of the night. Made some astute passes into the middle and he helped Postiga get his goal with a neat layoff.
Cristiano Ronaldo (5.5)
Took some shots at the goal, but somehow never managed to score one of the most easiest of goals. The Portugal captain even had two one-on-one opportunities against Andersen but as always on the international stage, he floundered miserably.
Helder Postiga (off 64′) (6.5)
Postiga frustrated Ronaldo as he didn’t make the right runs to combine with his captain, although he made no mistakes with a simple tap-in to score his side’s second goal.
Subs
Nelson Oliveira (on 64′) (6.5)
The striker failed to add anything of substance to the Portuguese attack although he probably was a little rusty as he hasn’t been afforded plenty of game time.
Silvestre Varela (on 84′) (8)
The Porto winger made an instant impact as he latched onto Coentrao’s cross and scored on the second attempt late into the game.
Rolando (on 89′)
