'Worst performance in two years' - Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. savaged by Roberto Martinez after Portugal lose to Denmark in Nations League quarter-finals

Portugal were in dismal form against Denmark on Thursday evening as the 2019 Nations League champions allowed the hosts to dominate in a 1-0 win. Diogo Costa's early game heroics kept Portugal in the game, however, the Danes were able to score late in the game as Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund placed Andreas Skov Olsen's cutback in the back of the net.

It was another disappointing result for Portugal under Martinez as the Belgian coach also led the side to Euro 2024 despair last summer. However, Martinez has now claimed that Portugal's 1-0 loss against Denmark was the side's 'worst performance in two years'.

Speaking to the media, Martinez said: "Did the plan fail? I agree. It was our worst performance in the last two years. It's not a question of the plan. During the game, we didn't do what we had to do to play with the atmosphere and the aggressiveness that Denmark has. We needed games like this. There was a five-month break and we didn't come out with the intensity we needed. Denmark's pressure was very effective. It would have been very easy to play long balls and not try to improve as a team. We suffered at times and Diogo Costa gave us an opportunity to go into the second leg with confidence."

Martinez's side still have the opportunity to turn the tides in the tie when the two sides meet in the second leg on Sunday, March 23. The Belgian coach claims to have understood the reason for the loss and aims to have a good game in the second leg. He added: "Was there a lack of intensity? Yes. We didn't win the duels we needed to win, we didn't anticipate the areas where Denmark likes to play inside, to create numerical superiority in the central zone. There was a lot of loss of the ball, there was a lack of quick passing lines and that happens at the club every day, every game, then you work and improve. There was a lack of synchronisation. The attitude was fantastic, but our performance was not at the level we expected and the players are very focused on using the support of Alvalade to show what we can do."