Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen Impress In Sensational Denmark Win

Brentford's Danish duo of Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen were both at their creative best as Denmark secured a shock 4-1 win away to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. 

Denmark, currently managed by ex-Bees assistant head coach Brian Riemer, strengthened their grip on second place in League A, Group 4, keeping their hopes of reaching March's quarter finals firmly alive ahead of their final game against Kristoffer Ajer's Norway, who sit behind them in third, on Tuesday evening. 

On a night where Portugal were under pressure to perform, playing for the first time since the international retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo, it was Denmark who stepped up to the plate in Braga. 

The Danes took the lead just before half time with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converting from the penalty spot to ensure Riemer's side went in to the break 1-0 up, and right at the beginning of the second half, things would get even better. 

Denmark's lead would extend to two just minutes into the second half as Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard picked up the ball just inside the right hand side of the penalty area with his back to goal before delivering a superb left footed cross towards the back post where Rasmus Hojlund volleyed home. 

Damsgaard's assist on Saturday evening now makes it four goal contributions in four Nations League games for Denmark this season, with Brentford's 2024/25 player of the season consistently able to find his best form in a Denmark shirt despite being unable to nail down a consistent starting spot in the Premier League in recent times.

Although quality of opponent in some cases has been used to play down Damsgaard's better recent form in a Denmark shirt since Keith Andrews' arrival at Brentford, this excuse is less valid now he is continuing to perform to a high level against teams to the quality of Portugal, who he also scored and assisted against in the reverse fixture, and Norway, who he scored against on matchday one of the Nations League. 

Damsgaard was an unused sub in Brentford's 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out and, despite Mathias Jensen being out injured for six weeks at the start of the season, has only started three out of 10 league games this campaign, raising the question as to is Keith Andrews' style platformed to get the best out of one of the club's most talented players, or whether or not it is simply a matter of a lack of minutes and competition for places behind the 26-year-old's better form in a Denmark shirt?

A large part of Damsgaard's struggle for minutes has been the performances of Mathias Jensen since Andrews became head coach. Whilst it was Damsgaard who was preferred to Jensen in the number 10 role against Portugal, Brentford's number eight was still able to show his class as a second half substitute. 

Shortly after Damsgaard had assisted Hojlund to put Denmark 2-0 up, Hojlund scored again to make it 3-0, leading to a number of substitutes which saw Jensen replace Damsgaard. 

From a free kick on the right hand side, Jensen delivered a beautiful outswinging delivery to find Joachim Andersen on the penalty spot to head home for Denmark's fourth of the night. 

Jensen missed the last international break with injury, however his assist was a gentle reminder on his return to the national team that the 30-year-old still has very much to offer at international level.

In all honesty, the quality of Mathias Jensen is something that should be no stranger to Brian Riemer, who worked with Jensen for over three years as assistant to Thomas Frank before taking up a manager role at Anderlecht, despite his limited minutes at international level in recent times.

Although Portugal pulled a goal back late on through Bernardo Silva, the damage was very much done, as Brentford's Danish Bees enjoyed a famous 4-1 win with their country at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.