Rasmus Hojlund says he did not intend to mock his "idol" Cristiano Ronaldo after replicating his celebration during Denmark's 1-0 Nations League victory over Portugal.

Hojlund came off the bench to score the only goal in the first leg of the teams' quarter-final tie on Thursday, guiding Skov Olsen's cross into the bottom-right corner.

The Manchester United striker reacted by replicating Ronaldo's iconic 'Siu' celebration, but when speaking to reporters after the game, he said that was not an attempt to poke fun at the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"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 TV2.

"I'm playing against the world's best footballer, my idol, and to score and become the matchwinner, 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."

Hojlund had not scored since early December before hitting the back of the net in United's last Premier League game against Leicester City, but he now has two goals in his last two appearances for club and country.

He had more big chances (two) than any other player on the pitch on Thursday, while Ronaldo was restricted to just two shots worth 0.09 expected goals (xG) and three touches in the penalty area.

Portugal will welcome Denmark to the Estadio Jose Alvalade for the second leg of the tie on Sunday, with a semi-final meeting with either Germany or Italy at stake.