Rasmus Højlund put Denmark level against Portugal on Thursday, then borrowed Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration in a moment that could be read as tribute or provocation.
The move
The 23-year-old Danish centre-forward scored in the 53rd minute, bringing Denmark back into the match shortly after half-time. Mikkel Damsgaard, Denmark’s first scorer, released Højlund with a pass into space.
Højlund beat the advancing Diogo Costa with a delicate left-footed finish, lifting the ball beyond the Portugal goalkeeper. He then reproduced Ronaldo’s familiar goal celebration.
The gesture came only hours after Ronaldo had left the Portugal camp following tension involving head coach Jorge Jesus, giving Højlund’s celebration an extra edge on an already charged night.
