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LISBON, Portugal (AP) -Portugal's late collapse against Denmark in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier has left coach Carlos Queiroz looking for new answers to the team's old problem of poor finishing.
Portugal displayed all its flair and cheeky skills against Denmark but once again failed to convert its dominance into goals, instead allowing a late rally to concede a 3-2 loss in Queiroz's first major test since taking charge. It was Portugal's first home defeat in World Cup qualifying in 15 years.
The result left both fans and players stunned, after the Portuguese took a 1-0 lead and then racked up chance after chance - and miss after miss - while playing fluid, attacking football that drew cheers from the crowd.
In a 25-minute spell in the second half, Portuguese forwards broke free four times to come one-on-one with Denmark goalkeeper Stephan Andersen only to squander every chance.
In contrast, Denmark responded with a display of clinical finishing by netting three goals in the last eight minutes to turn the game around.
Daily sports paper Record's front page Thursday declared Portugal's display as "a gala performance with incredible misses." A headline in A Bola asked: "How was it possible?"
Even against lowly Malta in their opening qualifier last weekend, the Portuguese took an hour to find the net before completing a 4-0 victory.
Portugal has struggled to find an effective front man since all-time leading scorer Pauleta retired after the last World Cup.
Hugo Almeida, a tall and burly center forward, was picked to face the Danes but couldn't shoot straight. He was replaced by veteran Nuno Gomes, who has racked up 29 goals in 74 appearances but sent a shot over the bar from one meter (yard) out.
Queiroz is hopeful that Cristiano Ronaldo's return from injury, possibly next month, will sharpen his team's attack.
"No doubt about it. Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing up front in the opponent's area," Queiroz said.
There is also renewed talk about whether Sporting Lisbon's hot Brazilian striker Liedson would be willing to take Portuguese nationality, as his compatriot Deco did in 2003.
Portugal was confident of beating Denmark and taking a two-point lead at the top of Group 1. It now sits in fourth place and will need to capture points on the road.
Queiroz, who in July began his second stint as national team coach, is trying to lay some ghosts to rest. When he was last at the helm, Portugal failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
This time he also has to live up to higher expectations, after his predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari led Portugal to the final of the 2004 European Championship and the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen described his team's smash-and-grab raid in Lisbon as "a dream scenario." For Portugal and its new coach it was a nightmare.
