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Portugal coach Paulo Bento has defended Cristiano Ronaldo after his misfiring captain missed a host of chances as they scraped to a 3-2 win over Denmark.

Ronaldo, who scored 59 goals for Real Madrid last season, has not scored in either of his country's Group B games.

But an unworried Bento said: "He is a player of enormous ability who wasn't efficient in a couple of situations he found himself in.

"He's not under pressure from us, he's here to help us resolve our problems."

The 27-year-old former Manchester United star missed a golden opportunity to put Portugal into a commanding 3-1 second-half lead in Lviv.

Moments later Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner levelled for 2-2, before substitute Silvestre Varela's late winner for Ronaldo's side.

Victory boosted Portugal's chances of advancing from a difficult group containing Germany and the Netherlands ahead of their final game against the Dutch on Sunday.

But Bento denied suggestions Ronaldo was frustrated with his own individual display.

"He has played two good games. There is not a single player among the 23 in the squad who feels any sense of frustration," he said.

"They all have feelings of happiness and satisfaction and a sense of responsibility for the game in four days' time."

Defender Pepe, also a club-mate of Ronaldo at Spanish champions Real, has stood up for his captain.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world but even the best make mistakes, so we're here to support him," he said.

"He's just one more player in the team, he can't carry Portugal on his back. It was his turn to make a mistake today but he helped make it possible for us to be here in the first place."