Even though Denmark was eliminated from the UEFA Nations League by Portugal on Sunday night, Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu was outstanding once again.
Joakim Maehle was unable to be selected for personal reasons, so Brian Riemer gave Dorgu a start.
Rasmus Højlund’s impact off the bench last week gave Denmark a one-goal aggregate advantage going into the match. But after extra time, Portugal defeated them 5-3 overall.
After winning the penalty kick himself, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 219th international cap with a feeble attempt that Kasper Schmeichel saved. It didn’t really matter, though, because Joachim Andersen, a Danish defender, headed a Portugal corner into his own net.
Rasmus Kristensen got up at the back post to head in a Christian Eriksen corner with little over 30 minutes left. Shortly thereafter, Ronaldo tucked in a strong strike from Bruno Fernandes from a tight angle after it bounced against the post. After Ruben Dias was dispossessed, the ball reached Dorgu, who skillfully found his United teammate Eriksen, giving Denmark the lead again. Eriksen did not make a mistake; he converted comfortably and restored Denmark’s position.
With a goal in the 86th minute to force extra time and another in the 91st, Franciso Tricao was the Selecao’s game-changing player. Additionally, the Sporting CP winger participated in a brilliant move that saw Goncalo Ramos score a fifth goal for Portugal.
At Estádio José Alvalade, Dorgu was one of Denmark’s best players despite the flurry of goals.
Conrad Harder replaced Dorgu after he had been on the field for 97 minutes. Dorgu made an incredible five clearances and three interceptions while he was on the field.
Five tackles were made by him. In the final moments of the first half, Dorgu gave up Ronaldo’s penalty.
The former Bologna player prevailed in two of the three aerial challenges he participated in and won nine of the sixteen ground duels he engaged in.
Dorgu has shown that he can win fouls since joining United in January, and he did just that against Portugal, getting four fouls.
The 20-year-old touched the ball 62 times and completed 25 of his 31 passes, finding his countrymen. He made two important passes.
Dorgu started three dribbles and finished with two. He had a chance to score with a header but was unable to focus his attempt.Since joining United, Dorgu has been playing well, and it’s heartening to watch him continue that success on the global scene. His attention will now turn to the April 1 matchup against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.