Rasmus Hojlund defended his celebration after coming off the bench to score the winner for Denmark against Portugal saying he wasn't mocking his "idol" Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United forward produced a calm finish from Andreas Skov Olsen's cross to secure the win in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.

He marked the strike by doing Portugal star Ronaldo's 'sui' celebration.

"It was not to mock him or anything, I've always said he has had great importance for me and my football career," Hojlund told Danish broadcaster TV2.

"I'm playing against the world's best footballer, my idol, and to score and become the [match] winner, it couldn't be better.

"Scoring against him and Portugal is huge, I went to see him in 2009, where he scored from a free-kick, and I've been a fan ever since."

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who now plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, played the full 90 minutes for Portugal.

Hojlund's 78th-minute effort meant he scored in back-to-back games for club and country after ending a 21-game goal drought against Leicester in the Premier League last weekend.

Victory was deserved for the Danes, and new boss Brian Riemer, and they will head to Lisbon for Sunday's second leg (19:45 GMT) full of confidence.

Christian Eriksen had a first-half penalty saved by Diogo Costa, who sprung to his right to parry the shot away as it headed to the corner.

Denmark had been awarded the spot-kick after Eriksen's volley caught the arm of Renato Veiga in the box.

Portugal were disappointing as captain Ronaldo failed to make an impact in the contest, with his only contribution a header which sailed wide of the post.

Eriksen also had a shot cleared off the line by his Manchester United team-mate Diogo Dalot and a free-kick saved as the hosts pushed for the breakthrough that came through Hojlund's late impact.

The loser of the tie will move into Scotland's World Cup qualifying group, which also includes Greece and Belarus.