The Danes took on water. Dominated at the start of the match, then much more solid as the match progressed, Christian Eriksen’s team was finally beaten in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 by Germany (2-0). A half-surprise given the Germans’ status as favourites, but a relief all the same since the Danes could have opened the scoring at the start of the second half and secured a memorable victory.
In front of their home crowd in Dortmund, the Mannschaft started the match on the floor, determined to erase the sad draw against Switzerland in the last group match (1-1). Nico Schlotterbeck even thought of opening the score in the 4th minute but his headed goal was canceled following a foul by Joshua Kimmich at the start of the action.
The Germans continued their dominance, but the realism was still not there. Kimmich came up against Kasper Schmeichel, as did Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz (twice). Slowly, the Danes got back into the game, and took advantage of a big technical error by Schlotterbeck to create a first chance, wasted by Rasmus Hojlund. The Manchester United striker had a second just before half-time, but he was denied by a great save from Manuel Neuer.
Andersen’s emotional elevator
The first half was marked by a huge storm that hit Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park. The 35th minute was playing when lightning struck not far from the stadium, before large hailstones followed. The referee then stopped the match until the elements stopped raging. The players returned to the pitch about twenty minutes later.
The second half started like the first, with a bang. But this time the disappointment was on the other side. At the end of a confused move in the penalty area, Joachim Andersen also saw his goal disallowed for offside with a toe on the previous pass. In 39 seconds, the Danish defender went from heaven to hell when, on the German counterattack, the ball hit his hand, giving the Mannschaft a penalty. A golden opportunity seized by Kai Havertz (53rd).
Very prominent in this second act, the Arsenal striker nevertheless missed the ball for a double, while he was alone in front of the Danish goalkeeper. Jamal Musiala did not make the same mistake in the 69th, and adjusted Kasper Schmeichel with a beautiful cross shot. The final blow was given, the Red and Whites never recovered, despite a goal by Florian Wirtz disallowed for offside and a big miss by Kai Havertz. Germany therefore qualifies for the quarter-finals, and will face the winner of the match between Spain and Georgia, scheduled for this Sunday at 9 p.m.
