By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
October 2, 2026
Portugal midfielder Vitinha believes the national team made significant progress in attack after securing a 4–2 victory over Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, who scored Portugal’s third goal in Copenhagen, described the performance as the team’s best since Jorge Jesus took charge and credited the new head coach’s work for the improvement.
The victory extended Portugal’s winning run under Jesus to three matches and kept the team perfect in its Nations League group. João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and João Félix were on the scoresheet for Portugal, while Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Højlund scored for Denmark.
Speaking after the match, Vitinha said the team was beginning to understand Jesus’ tactical ideas more clearly.
“It was the best performance we’ve had so far. We are growing, and the truth is, the more we work with the manager, the more we assimilate his ideas.”
He added:
“Today we took a step forward in attack. We tried to focus on the game and I think that’s what we did. We responded incredibly. Congratulations to the whole group.”
Portugal responds on the pitch
Portugal entered the match under considerable attention following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the national-team camp.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the veteran forward, Jesus’ side produced an attacking performance that gave the Portuguese coaching staff plenty to be encouraged about.
João Cancelo opened the scoring before Denmark responded through Damsgaard.
Gonçalo Ramos restored Portugal’s advantage before half-time, and Højlund brought Denmark level again early in the second half.
Portugal then regained control of the contest.
Vitinha put the visitors ahead again before João Félix completed the scoring late in the match to secure a 4–2 victory.
The result also represented a response at a stadium where Portugal had previously experienced difficulty against Denmark. Vitinha acknowledged the challenge of playing in Copenhagen and said the scoreline did not fully reflect how difficult the contest was.
Vitinha credits Jorge Jesus
For Vitinha, much of Portugal’s improvement has come from the amount of time the players have spent working under Jesus.
The former Benfica and Flamengo coach took over as Portugal’s head coach earlier this year, replacing Roberto Martínez.
Jesus has now guided Portugal to three consecutive victories, and Vitinha believes the players are increasingly comfortable with the manager’s ideas.
The midfielder said the improvement was becoming visible both in training and during matches.
Portugal’s attacking display against Denmark included 19 shots, with 10 on target, while the team also created considerably more expected goals than the hosts, according to match data.
For Jesus, the result offered another indication that his tactical approach is being absorbed by the players.
Cristiano Ronaldo controversy remains in the background
The match was played against the backdrop of Ronaldo’s unexpected departure from the Portuguese camp.
The 41-year-old captain and Portugal’s all-time leading scorer left the squad after reportedly becoming frustrated over his playing-time situation under Jesus.
Ronaldo had been left on the bench for Portugal’s previous Nations League match against Norway, which Portugal won 2–1.
Reports subsequently emerged of disagreement between the player and coach before Ronaldo left the camp ahead of the Denmark match.
Portugal’s players have largely avoided discussing the details publicly.
Vitinha said the squad concentrated on the match rather than allowing the controversy to affect its preparation.
“We tried to focus on the game and I think that’s what we did,” he said.
“We responded incredibly. Congratulations to the whole group.”
Defender Renato Veiga also declined to discuss the Ronaldo situation when questioned after the match, saying he had been instructed not to comment on the matter.
Jesus insists the squad remains united
Jesus has also rejected suggestions that Ronaldo’s departure has divided the Portuguese squad.
The veteran coach said the important issue was the team’s performance and maintained that the events surrounding Ronaldo had not affected the players’ unity.
The victory allowed Jesus to concentrate on the football rather than the controversy surrounding his relationship with Portugal’s most famous player.
After the match, Jesus said the squad believed in his ideas and that the players were increasingly responding to his methods.
The coach has also indicated that he intends to address the Ronaldo situation more fully after Portugal’s next match.
Gonçalo Ramos provides attacking option
One of the other notable developments from the Denmark match was the performance of Gonçalo Ramos.
The AC Milan forward scored Portugal’s second goal and continued to occupy the central attacking role in Ronaldo’s absence.
Ramos also contributed an assist and was involved in several of Portugal’s attacking moves.
His performance gives Jesus another option in the final third as the coach works to establish his preferred attacking system.
Vitinha’s comments about the team’s attacking improvement are therefore significant because Portugal are attempting to develop a system capable of producing goals from several positions rather than relying on a single player.
Portugal maintain perfect Nations League start
The victory over Denmark leaves Portugal with nine points from three matches in their Nations League group.
The team had previously defeated Norway 2–1 and secured another victory before travelling to Copenhagen.
Portugal will now return home for their next match against Norway on Sunday, October 4.
Vitinha is already looking ahead to that fixture, with Portugal seeking a fourth consecutive victory under Jesus.
The midfielder has called on supporters to fill the Estádio do Dragão as Portugal attempt to maintain their perfect start.
A new phase under Jorge Jesus
The early months of Jesus’ tenure have produced both footballing progress and considerable attention away from the pitch.
The departure of Ronaldo has created one of the biggest talking points surrounding the Portuguese national team, but the Denmark result has given Jesus an opportunity to focus attention on the team’s development.
For Vitinha, the most important point is that Portugal are beginning to understand how their new coach wants them to play.
The midfielder’s assessment was clear: Portugal believe they are improving, particularly in attack.
Whether that progress continues will become clearer in the coming matches, beginning with Sunday’s meeting with Norway.
For now, Portugal have won three consecutive games under Jesus, scored eight goals across their last two matches and remain at the top of their Nations League group with a perfect record.
