Arsenal & Russo punished as Lyon snatch UWCL advantage

Chelsea's date with destiny: Can Blues finally take down Barca?

Maresca should focus on winning, not arguing with Chelsea fans

The best Didier Drogba interview you'll ever read

Manchester United's craziest European comebacks - ranked

Editors' Picks

WATCH: Son's priceless reaction as he's asked if he's better than Salah

How to buy Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey tickets

Scotland World Cup 2026 qualifying: Group, fixtures & results 

Santos Laguna vs Monterrey: Stream, TV & where to watch

Where to watch Ronaldo's Al-Nassr games: Stream & TV info

How to buy Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey tickets

Where to watch & stream MLS games live

Man Utd live stream and TV channel broadcast info

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great handed starting berth &amp; armband</li><li>Missed a penalty before scoring 136th goal</li><li>Replaced before game extended beyond 90 minutes</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Portugal ‘completely the same’ with or without Cristiano Ronaldo as CR7 hooked for extra-time in crunch Nations League clash with Denmark

<p>Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was handed the captain’s armband and a starting berth for a must-win contest in Lisbon. The evergreen 40-year-old surprisingly <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/worst-penalty-ever-cristiano-ronaldo-kasper-schmeichel-shocking-spot-kick-miss-portugal-captain-nations-league-tie-denmark/bltdc846204736cf462" target="_blank">fluffed his lines from the penalty spot</a> as he rolled a tame effort into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo has, however, never been one to dwell on disappointment and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-reacts-dramatic-portugal-win-missing-penalty-sitting-out-extra-time-nations-league-denmark/blt54fab10d427a605b" target="_blank">registered his 136th international goal</a> as Portugal eventually forced extra-time against the Danes. CR7 was replaced by Goncalo Ramos as an epic contest ticked beyond the 90-minute mark.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>That meant he was not on the field as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/portugal-player-ratings-denmark-cristiano-ronaldo-bailed-out-two-goal-hero-francisco-trincao-after-awful-penalty-miss-roberto-martinez-denmark-nations-league/blt959581e7547b9a3c" target="_blank">goals from Trincao and Ramos wrapped up a 5-2 win</a> on the night and  a place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. Martinez was pleased to see his side prove that they can compete when their <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wont-play-cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-win-admission-all-time-great-50000-bad-games/blt4c5c42a151d29dbe" target="_blank">talismanic skipper is watching on from the bench</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Martinez told reporters when asked about his decision to withdraw Ronaldo with the final outcome in a nervy encounter yet to be determined: “I saw the team as completely the same. Cristiano played a good game, Goncalo played a good game. They are players with different characteristics and I didn't see much difference.”</p>

WHAT ROBERTO MARTINEZ SAID

<p>Ronaldo, who is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-retire-when-lionel-messi-stops-40-year-old-portuguese-goat-tarnishing-legacy-warning/bltafaee6de4ff5ba83" target="_blank">showing no sign of slowing down at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a>, will likely retain his starting berth – if fit – for a semi-final clash with Germany in Munich on June 4. He previously lifted the Nations League trophy back in 2019.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Portugal ‘completely the same’ with or without Cristiano Ronaldo as CR7 hooked for extra-time in crunch Nations League clash with Denmark | Goal.com

Roberto Martinez insists Portugal were “completely the same” with and without Cristiano Ronaldo as they battled past Denmark in the Nations League.