Portugal’s post-Cristiano Ronaldo era got off to an ignominious start as Denmark inflicted their heaviest competitive home defeat.

Two goals from Rasmus Hojlund plus a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg penalty and a header from Joachim Andersen condemned Jorge Jesus’s side to a 4-1 loss in the Nations League in Braga, with Bernardo Silva scoring a late consolation.

It was the team’s first outing since five-time Ballon d’Or-winner Ronaldo announced his international retirement on November 5.

The 41-year-old forward, who earned 243 caps for his country and is the leading goalscorer in men’s international football (146), called time on his Portugal career after leaving their camp early in September.

Ronaldo had been an unused substitute in a Nations League game against Norway and was fined €255 (£215; $286) for his actions, and was given a backdated 30-day suspension. After leaving Portugal’s squad, he released a 1,740-word statement explaining his decision and apologising to his team-mates.

Portugal paid tribute to their retired former captain. (Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)

Portugal remain top of their Nations League group after their first loss in five matches so far and had already qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition, yet they could still be knocked off top spot.

They face Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday in their last group-stage match.

A startling dismantling

Analysis from senior writer Daniel Taylor in Braga

It was quite something to be at the Estadio Municipal de Braga to see Portugal losing so heavily in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international football.

Let’s not be too quick to assume it is all because of Ronaldo’s absence (he also didn’t play in Portugal’s previous three matches, and they won all of them).

Nonetheless, it must have been startling for the Portuguese crowd, many of whom were whistling in frustration, to see their team being dismantled this way.

And, boy, the score didn’t flatter Denmark. Rasmus Hojlund’s two second-half goals, in particular, were superbly taken. They also had chances to make it five, or even more, before Bernardo Silva scored a consolation for Portugal with virtually the last kick of the game.

“Obrigado Capi7ao” read the banner before kick-off. By the end, his absence must have hurt even more.