BRAGA, Portugal – Portugal beat Denmark 1-0 on Thursday and qualified for next year’s European Championship. It secured first place in Group I.
Denmark stayed second in the group with 12 points, six points behind Portugal, and was still able to advance as third-placed Albania lost 2-0 at home to Serbia and stayed with 11 points, although the Albanians still have one game to go. while the Danes finished their eight group matches.
Tensions were high in Albania for Serbia to visit after a game between countries that was interrupted by violence last year. The game in Elbasan, central Albania, was overseen by more than 2,000 officers, but the game ended without incident.
The goals of Aleksandar Kolarov and Adem Ljajic injured Serbia late.
Denmark didn’t make things easy for fourth-placed team in the world and lasted more than an hour before Joao Moutinho’s goal sent Cristiano Ronaldo’s team to France.
Portugal faced a shocking home defeat in their first qualifier when they were upset 1-0 at home by Albania and coach Paulo Bento resigned. Under new coach Fernando Santos, the Portuguese won the following six Group I games.
“” We started badly and ended well,” said Cristiano Ronaldo. “With Fernando Santos we have gained an additional advantage.”
Nani hit Danish woodwork in the first half and Nicklas Bendtner hit the post on the other end.
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