Portugal vs. Denmark: Score and Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier

Portugal have qualified for UEFA Euro 2016 after beating Denmark 1-0 in Group I. The decisive goal came from midfield-general Joao Moutinho, securing all three points for manager Fernando Santos' men.

UEFA's Euro 2016 Twitter feed showed Moutinho and his teammates celebrating qualification after the full-time whistle:

Needing only a point to qualify, Portugal played a controlled game in the first half. Despite rather static fare, the hosts were on top, carving out the game's most promising chances. But after half-time, Moutinho's guile finally made the breakthrough.

Santos chose to have Real Madrid's free-scoring talisman Cristiano Ronaldo lead the line in front of a five-man midfield. The jewel of that group was AS Monaco playmaker Moutinho. He was joined by ex-Manchester United winger Nani.

Here was the full Portugal starting XI:

The Danes countered with former Arsenal misfit Nicklas Bendtner up top. Tottenham Hotspur ace Christian Eriksen was tasked with supplying Bendtner chances. Further back, Leicester City stopper Kasper Schmeichel tried to frustrate Ronaldo:

The Foxes 'keeper was called into action in the 10th minute when he turned away a Ronaldo drive. Young Monaco schemer Bernardo Silva played Ronaldo through a Denmark defence that struggled to deal with pace throughout the game.

Later in the half, Ronaldo turned provider to present Moutinho with a shooting chance, but the cultured midfielder thrashed his effort high and wide. Then Moutinho crossed for Nani who headed off the bar with just over five minutes left in the first half.

Goalless at the break, the Danes began the second half brightly. Bendtner slammed a shot off the post when he really should have tested Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Bendtner soon spurned another great chance. He glanced a header over the bar. It was another disappointing effort from a striker who is at his best in the air.

Bendtner and his nation were left to rue the misses when Moutinho slotted in Portugal's opener. The 29-year-old stroked home a right-footed shot—a goal that would eventually put his country in the Euro 2016 tournament.

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press/Associated Press

Zenit St Petersburg attacking midfielder Danny entered the fray late on as the home side pressed for a second goal. Veteran winger Ricardo Quaresma replaced Nani.

As for Denmark, the perennially disappointing Eriksen was subbed for Yussuf Poulsen. The Spurs man had failed to exert any real influence in the final third.

Ronaldo smashed a free-kick past the right post in the dying minutes.

Lars Poulsen/Associated Press

Post-Match Reaction

Former Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen tweeted his thanks to fellow Group I team Serbia for helping his country stay on the brink of qualification:

Another former player had his say on Portugal's progress. National legend Luis Figo offered his congratulations:

Moutinho followed Figo's theme by praising the support he and his teammates have received during qualifying:

Meanwhile, Ronaldo was quick to praise the impact Santos has made since he took over:

"

Ronaldo: "Fernando Santos' arrival did us good. We're a team who gambles and wants to win." pic.twitter.com/jMfamKlgyp

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) October 8, 2015"

While he couldn't get on the scoresheet on Thursday, Ronaldo has inspired his nation to a place in another major tournament. Success on the international stage is the only honour that has eluded arguably the world's best player.

With an experienced supporting cast around him, led by Moutinho, along with a young talent in Silva, Ronaldo now has a decent chance to snap that sequence at Euro 2016.

Defeat is not the death knell for the Danes' qualification hopes. Eriksen, Bendtner and Co. are still second in the group after Serbia beat Albania on the latter's home field.