As expected, Portugal U21s booked their place in next year’s European Championship, but not after playing out a remarkable nine-goal thriller in Paços de Ferreira, a 5-4 victory on the day giving the Seleção a 7-4 aggregate victory over the Netherlands in the playoff.

Rui Jorge made one change to his side which won 2-0 in Alkmaar, Tozé replacing Rafa Silva. Adrie Koster understandably shook things up, six players surviving the chop with Kongolo, Brenet, Hupperts, Ola John and Weghorst coming in.

The Seleção under new coach Fernando Santos showed some encouraging signs in the weekend friendly against France. Portugal will be looking to carry that form into the crucial Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark in Copenhagen tomorrow.

PortuGOAL has enlisted the help of Danish journalists Thomas Pyndt from Danish Football Weekly Tipsbladet and Claus Røndbjerg-Christensen from Danish Football News for the lowdown on the Scandinavian outfit.

France 2-1 Portugal

Euro 2016 hosts France proved too strong for a new look Portugal squad tonight at the Stade de France in Paris. Karim Benzema opened the scoring and Paul Pogba doubled the advantage in the second half. Ricardo Quaresma answered from the penalty spot with his fourth international goal.

Fernando Santos' first squad included seven changes from the side that faced Albania, featuring Tiago in central midfield and newcomer Cédric at right back. Danny and Nani occupied the wings while Ronaldo was made Portugal's lone striker, a strategy also employed by Carlos Quieroz during his tenure.

If Santos was looking for a test of his proposed schemes, France were more than willing to provide it. During the first half, the French asked plenty of questions of Portugal's defence, particularly down the flanks.

Netherlands 0-2 Portugal

The Jong Oranje welcomed Portugal to the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar for the first leg of the UEFA U21 play-offs. Portugal was the only nation with a perfect record in the group stage after eight consecutive victories, the Netherlands losing their final two games in their respective group to finish runners-up.

Top scorer Quincy Promes was absent for the Dutch side, leaving Luc Castaignos to carry the load alongside two players hardly featuring during the group stage, Manu and El Ghazi. Portugal’s attacking trio consisted of Bernardo Silva, Ricardo Pereira and Ivan Cavaleiro with Porto’s 17-year-old Ruben Neves given a start in midfield.