Rasmus Hojlund has played down claims that he was mocking Cristiano Ronaldo by using the Portuguese icon’s famed ‘Siu’ celebration in front of him on Thursday. The Manchester United striker came off the bench in the second half to score the winning goal as Denmark beat Portugal 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League play-off quarter-final.

Hojlund’s 78th-minute poacher’s finish sent the Copenhagen crowd at Parken into a frenzy and continued his recent hot streak. After failing to contribute to a single goal in 21 consecutive appearances, the Dane has provided an assist against Real Sociedad and scored past Leicester City and Portugal in his last three games. On Thursday, he snubbed his trademark gladiator celebration to mimic Ronaldo, who was watching on from around the halfway line.

After Hojlund’s ‘Siu’ attempt, many viewers rushed to suggest he was mocking Portugal’s talisman, who had a quiet night.

However, the 22-year-old has since come out and clarified that his celebration was a tribute to his football idol.

“It wasn't to mock him or anything,” Hojlund insisted to Danish broadcaster TV2 after the final whistle in the capital.

“He's had such a huge impact on me and my football career. Maybe it's a bit ambivalent, but to score against him and Portugal, it's huge.

"I remember him scoring from a free kick in 2011 when I went to watch the match, and since then I've been a huge Cristiano fan."

As a boyhood United supporter, Hojlund would have spent his early years watching Ronaldo light up the pitch at Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old won the first of his five Ballon d’Or trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008 before sealing an £80million move to Real Madrid a year later.

Ronaldo extended his record international caps to 218 appearances in Copenhagen but failed to add to his 135 goals.

Denmark were largely dominant and deserving winners to move one step closer to the Nations League semi-finals.

Brian Riemer’s side should have taken the lead earlier in the match when Hojlund’s United team-mate Christian Eriksen stepped up for a penalty.

However, the 33-year-old midfielder failed to convert from the spot for the first time since 2016, having scored his last 12 penalties.

If Denmark navigate past Portugal in Sunday’s second leg, they will face Germany or Italy for a place in the June 8 final.

Germany are leading that tie 2-1 after the first leg following a second-half comeback in Milan.