Rasmus Højlund has explained how he celebrated his winning goal against Portugal. The Danish striker finished off a well-constructed attack and, under the watchful eye of Cristiano Ronaldo, made the stadium in Copenhagen shout 'Siuuu' by copying the Portuguese star’s signature celebration. "It was out of respect for my idol," said the Manchester United forward.
Denmark claimed a hard-fought but deserved 1-0 victory over Portugal in Copenhagen, in a match that combined intensity, missed chances, and a moment of personal triumph for one young striker.
The Nations League clash saw the Danes outplay their visitors for large parts of the game, pressing high, keeping possession, and generating dangerous opportunities throughout the ninety minutes. Despite their dominance, they were repeatedly frustrated by the brilliance of Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
The FC Porto shot-stopper was in inspired form and kept his side in the contest, producing several crucial saves including a first-half penalty stop to deny Christian Eriksen. That moment seemed like it might shift the tide in Portugal’s favour, as the Danish crowd grew tense and the match remained goalless into the final stages.
But in the 78th minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Denmark launched a fluid team move down the right wing, with a series of quick passes pulling the Portuguese defense out of shape. The ball was squared into the box, where substitute Rasmus Højlund timed his run to perfection and calmly slotted the ball into the net past the onrushing Costa. It was a composed and clinical finish one that sent Parken Stadium into wild celebrations.
Yet what happened next made even more headlines than the goal itself. Højlund sprinted toward the corner flag and launched into Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark 'Siuuu' celebration jumping, spinning in mid-air, and landing with arms extended, just like the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has done countless times over his career. To make the moment even more surreal, Ronaldo was on the Portuguese bench, watching as the young striker paid tribute to him in dramatic fashion.
Reactions to the celebration were mixed. Some saw it as a form of provocation, a bold move from a player celebrating in front of the very man he was imitating. But Højlund was quick to shut down any talk of disrespect. In his post-match interview, the 22-year-old made it clear that the celebration came from a place of admiration and gratitude.
“It wasn’t to provoke, but out of respect,” said the Manchester United forward. “I’m a bit of a fanboy. He’s meant everything to my career. I became a Manchester United fan because of him, and I started following Real Madrid and Juventus because of him too.”
Højlund went on to share how deep Ronaldo’s influence on him has been over the years not just as a player, but as a person. “I’ve always dreamed of doing Ronaldo’s celebration especially against him. It was a special moment for me. I’ve looked up to him for so long.”
He even revealed a more personal story, explaining how Ronaldo’s physical fitness and image inspired his own routines as a teenager. “I remember a photo of him in his underwear, and I thought, ‘Okay, that’s how I need to look.’ So I started doing push-ups and sit-ups every night before going to bed,” he said with a smile.
The win was not just emotional for Højlund, but also crucial for Denmark as they look to build momentum in their Nations League campaign. The result showed a confident, organized, and motivated Danish side one capable of taking down big opponents and handling pressure in front of their home crowd.
Portugal, on the other hand, left Copenhagen with more questions than answers. Despite a squad filled with talent, they failed to establish any rhythm or consistent threat. Ronaldo, now often used as a substitute in key fixtures, watched most of the match from the bench and only made a brief appearance late on, unable to impact the outcome.
The Portuguese captain broke his silence only on social media, choosing to focus on the path ahead rather than the sting of defeat. He didn’t mention Højlund’s celebration, instead posting a message of encouragement to his teammates and fans: “We have ninety minutes to turn things around. Let’s give it everything, Portugal!”
As the spotlight now shifts to the next round of matches, all eyes will be on whether Portugal can bounce back and whether Højlund, with his talent and boldness, is ready to continue walking in the footsteps of his idol while carving out his own legacy on the international stage.
