LISBON: Portugal beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate to reach the Nations League semi-finals early on Tuesday, winning a thrilling second-leg quarter-final 5-2 after extra time.
Portugal will face finals hosts Germany in the semi-finals next June after overcoming a 0-1 deficit after Denmark won the first leg last week.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty but then scored a crucial goal, before two late goals from Francisco Trincao helped Roberto Martinez’s men into the semi-finals.
Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel stared down Ronaldo’s run to save a penalty in the sixth minute, darting to his left and easily catching the ball.
But Portugal eventually forced the match into extra time after leading 3-2, even though Denmark twice led on aggregate.
Portugal first equalised on aggregate when Joachim Andersen accidentally scored an own goal in the 38th minute.
But when unmarked at the corner kick, Rasmus Kristensen’s calm header put Denmark back in front on aggregate after 56 minutes.
Ronaldo made up for his penalty mistake, tapping in a rebound to score with 18 minutes remaining, but Christian Eriksen then silenced the home crowd by tapping in an open goal four minutes later.
Playing at their home ground of Sporting Lisbon Stadium, substitute winger Trincao then forced extra time with a left-footed goal.
Immediately after the match resumed, he scored a second goal in a chaotic situation to give Portugal the advantage.
Trincao was then involved in Goncalo Ramos’s decisive goal move.
Winners of the inaugural tournament in 2019, Portugal are aiming to become the first team to lift the Nations League trophy for a second time.