European Qualifiers: Cristiano Ronaldo heads late 1-0 win for Portugal in Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal deep into stoppage-time to hand Fernando Santos a 1-0 win in his first game as Portugal manager in Denmark.

Portugal had had the better of the chances in the European Championship qualifier but looked set to be frustrated as Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel put in an inspired performance.

But Ronaldo got on the end of Ricardo Quaresma's cross in the fifth minute of stoppage-time to hand Portugal their first win in Group I after the opening defeat to Albania which cost Paulo Bento his job.

Denmark had a chance in the opening minute as Cedric fouled Lasse Vibe to concede a free-kick in a promising position but Christian Eriksen could only put the set-piece into the wall.

Portugal actually made the better start and Ronaldo brought two saves from Schmeichel either side of Danny testing the Leicester keeper.

The hosts continued to press with captain Ronaldo looking the most likely threat as he fired two efforts wide, with Nani bringing another save from the busy Schmeichel.

Despite Portugal's dominance it was Denmark who came closest to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes before the break when Michael Krohn-Delhi hit the post from 12 yards.

Schmeichel had kept Denmark in it in the first half and he produced more heroics five minutes after the break with a brilliant save with his feet to deny Ronaldo.

Ronaldo and Krohn-Delhi both missed the target as the match came to a close but neither side looked to have done enough to merit taking the three points.

The Real Madrid forward is not regarded by many as the best player in the world for nothing, though, and he was in the right place to flick home Quaresma's cross and get his boss off to a winning start.