On Thursday, Portugal had a tough time getting into their rhythm against Denmark. Christian Eriksen missed a penalty for the Danes in the first half, and later, Hojlund came off the bench to score the solitary goal of the game.

This loss marked Portugal's first defeat since they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Roberto Martinez's team has now managed just one win in their last four matches.

The Portuguese national team (A Selecao das Quinas) won the 2018 - 19 Nations League, defeating the Netherlands in the final. For a team of their caliber, an exit at the quarter-final stage of this tournament to Denmark would be a major letdown.

Given the quality of their squad, Portugal is expected to make a significant impact at the 2026 World Cup. However, since 2006, the national team has only advanced beyond the round of 16 once, reaching the quarter-finals in 2022.

Before Thursday's loss, the home side had a three - game winning streak against Denmark. Nevertheless, historically, they have been the more dominant side in these encounters, winning 11 out of their previous 17 matches across all competitions.

Hojlund ended a 21-game goal drought when he struck in Man United's 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League last weekend, and the Red Devils forward was again on the scoresheet off the bench against Portugal on Thursday night.

The victory was Denmark's first since last September, having gone four games without a win, losing twice to Spain in the process, while they had ended their Nations League group-stage campaign with a 0-0 draw against Serbia.

The Red and Whites made the last-16 stage of Euro 2024, losing 2-0 to Germany, while they are bidding to win the Nations League for the first time in their history.

Brian Riemer's side will have taken plenty of encouragement from their performance against Portugal, and as mentioned, it could have been more comprehensive, with Eriksen being denied from the penalty spot in the first period.

Portugal head coach Martinez is not expected to panic when it comes to his team, so it is entirely possible that he will select the same XI from the first leg, including a spot through the middle for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The greatest goalscorer of all time failed to make his mark in the first leg, but he has Martinez's trust, and it is difficult to imagine him being removed from the XI, while Bruno Fernandes is another certain starter in the number 10 spot.

Bernardo Silva is an option, but Portugal need Pedro Neto's pace in the final third of the field, while Paris Saint-Germain's excellent midfield duo of Vitinha and Joao Neves are set to continue in the middle.

As for Denmark, Hojlund has put himself in contention to start with his strike off the bench, and it is likely that the Man United forward will now be given the nod through the middle.

Hojlund's Red Devils teammate Patrick Dorgu was only a late substitute on Thursday evening, and he is again set to start on the bench here, as head coach Riemer will not want to disrupt his defensive unit.

Hojlund for Mika Biereth might be the only alteration from the first leg, with Eriksen set to continue in the number 10 spot, leaving Morten Hjulmand and Christian Norgaard to hold the midfield.

Portugal possible starting lineup:

D Costa; Dalot, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Neto, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo

Denmark possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Vestergaard, Maehle; Hjulmand, Norgaard; Isaksen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Hojlund