Portugal beats Denmark after Ronaldo leaves training camp

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, and the team beat Denmark 4-2 without him in Copenhagen. Coach Jorge Jesus said the departure had not divided the squad, while Ronaldo said he would explain his reasons later. Portugal’s victory on Thursday was its third in three group matches. João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and João Félix scored for Portugal; Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Højlund scored for Denmark. Portugal had also beaten Norway 2-1 on Sunday, when Ronaldo remained an unused substitute. Ronaldo announced his departure on Instagram on Wednesday, September 30, after a conversation with Proença. In his statement, he said he would explain in due time what led him to leave and wished Portugal and his teammates well. The supplied accounts do not establish his full reasons. The exit followed a dispute over Ronaldo’s role in the team. Jesus had said before the Denmark match that Ronaldo would not start, after leaving him on the bench against Norway. Jesus later said Ronaldo had been unhappy after warming up without being brought on, but characterized that reaction as understandable.