The game had to be stopped for 25 minutes in the first half due to a thunderstorm with lightning and thunder. After the break, the ball hit the Danish goal twice. Kai Havertz put Germany 1-0 ahead with a penalty (53′). The video assistant had spotted a handball by Joachim Andersen, who had scored for Denmark shortly before, but this goal was disallowed by the VAR. Jamal Musiala made the decision (68′).
The 21-year-old shot Germany into the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time in eight years with his third goal of the tournament. Musiala also drew level with Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze in the list of goalscorers. For Denmark, which had reached the semi-finals in 2021, the tournament not only ended prematurely but also without a win. “Danish Dynamite” had advanced as runners-up in Group C with three draws.
The 2-0 by Musiala
Jamal Musiala made the preliminary decision for Germany in the 68th minute. The 21-year-old young star scored after a counterattack to make it 2-0.
Powerful start from Germany
DFB coach Nagelsmann made three surprise changes to the starting eleven. As expected, local Dortmund hero Nico Schlotterbeck replaced the suspended Jonathan Tah in defense. David Raum and Leroy Sane, who played instead of Florian Wirtz, were also new to the team. Defensive leader Antonio Rüdiger was fit in time. Nagelsmann put Kai Havertz up front, which meant that Niclas Füllkrug was once again in the role of “joker.” Christian Eriksen and Thomas Delaney, who had recently been injured, were able to play for the Danes.
The Danish defence was the focus of attention. Germany stayed in the opposition half for several minutes and almost got their reward. A header goal by Schlotterbeck was rightly disallowed (4th minute). Joshua Kimmich blocked the Dane Andreas Skov Olsen a little too roughly. Shortly afterwards, Schmeichel was able to excel in a long-range shot by Kimmich and a header by Schlotterbeck (7th minute).
Schmeichel fends off Kimmich shot
Joshua Kimmich took aim from a good 20 meters, but Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was able to defuse the shot (7th).
Thunderstorm causes interruption
The game continued on a slippery slope. Up until the 20th minute, the Germans had almost 75 percent possession. The Danes had to thank their goalie for not falling behind. After a through ball from Rüdiger, Schmeichel was again on the spot to stop a Havertz volley (11th minute), and a Kroos free kick went into the wall (16th minute).
The Danes were then able to break free of the grip and had longer periods of possession. Eriksen had a perfect shot on goal, but Rüdiger blocked it (21′). A shot from Mähle went wide of the goal (24′). After just under 30 minutes, it started to pour with rain in Dortmund. A thunderstorm with thunder and lightning swept over the stadium. Referee Michael Oliver decided to interrupt play (35′), and the teams went to the dressing room.
Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach In the front rows, the match definitely became a wet and cheerful affair for the fans
The match resumed after 25 minutes – and Germany came out of the dressing room in a flash. But Schmeichel was once again the savior when the big chance arose. Havertz headed the ball after a cross, but the goalie was able to clear the attempt, which was too central (37′). On the other side, an unnecessary loss of the ball by Schlotterbeck in his own penalty area caused danger. Rasmus Höjlund only hit the side netting (42′) and was also stopped after a counterattack by Manuel Neuer (45′). The half-time break was goalless.
German double chance
Shortly after the restart, Germany had another chance to take the lead. First, Kai Havertz’s header was blocked by goalie Kasper Schmeichel, then Nico Schlotterbeck also missed with a header (37′).
Double VAR luck for Germany
The second half began turbulently, with Denmark feeling the full brutality of the VAR. First, the DFB team lost control in a penalty area scene, the ball came to Andersen, who shot in from close range (48′). The video referee intervened. The goal was disallowed because teammate Delaney was offside with the tip of his toe before scoring.
Shortly afterwards, the VAR intervened again because Andersen had gotten the ball on his hand after a cross from a wide area. Referee Olvier awarded a penalty, which Havertz scored precisely into the right corner to put the team 1-0 ahead (53′). The Arsenal legionnaire could have made the preliminary decision shortly afterwards. After a perfect ball control, Havertz moved towards Schmeichel, lifted the ball over the Danish goalie, but also narrowly missed the goal (59′).
Havertz converts penalty to make it 1-0
Germany is awarded a penalty after video evidence. Kai Havertz steps up and scores precisely to put them 1-0 ahead (53′).
Musiala makes preliminary decision
In the 64th minute, Nagelsmann made a double substitution – the two Dortmund players Emre Can and Füllkrug replaced Andrich and Gündogan. But the Danes had the next chance. Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg passed to Höjlund, but the ManUnited legionnaire chose a sharp shot instead of a precise one and was stopped by Neuer (66th). Almost immediately, Germany increased the score to 2-0. After an ideal pass from Schlotterbeck, Musiala shot at goal. Schmeichel hesitated when running out and was beaten (68th).
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand brought in five new players for the final phase: Yussuf Poulsen, Christian Nörgaard, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Mikkel Damsgaard and Jonas Wind. The Danes had to put everything on the line. However, they were not really dangerous, the German defense was very solid and allowed little. In return, Germany had numerous counterattack opportunities. A goal by Wirtz was disallowed (91st minute), Havertz was stopped by Schmeichel (95th minute).
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Voices about the game
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany team manager): “It was a bizarre game. We were outstanding at first. Then it was a game full of adversities. We fought well against that. We deserved to go through.”
Antonio Rudiger (Germany defender): “It feels very good. We were dominant from the start, what we can criticize is that we didn’t kill them earlier. We missed too many chances. It wasn’t easy, of course, but this team shows good character, that they can come back against all kinds of adversities and always give it their all. We still have three finals. We’ll take it as it comes, that’s it.”
Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany defender): “I think we played a great game. We had crazy fans behind us again, the stadium was shaking. I’m really happy for the team, they deserve it for their hard work. I’m really pleased that we made it to the quarter-finals. I haven’t had the happiest performances at the DFB so far, so I’m really happy that we kept a clean sheet today. We defended well, hardly let anything in and rewarded ourselves with the two goals.”
Thomas Delaney (Denmark midfielder): “It’s very hard for us now. We lost against a good team. The game was as we expected. I don’t know if it was a clear offside in front of our goal. Then we conceded a goal straight after. It was like having a bucket of cold water thrown over your head. We invested a lot and had to suffer a lot, you have to admit that.”
European Championship Round of 16
Saturday:
Germany – Denmark 2:0 (0:0)
Dortmund, Signal Iduna Park, SR Oliver (ENG)
Torfolge:
1:0 Havertz (53./penalty)
2:0 Musiala (68.)
Deutschland: Neuer – Kimmich, Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum (80./Henrichs) – Andrich (64./Can), Kroos – Sane (88./Anton), Gündogan (64./Füllkrug), Musiala (80./Wirtz) – Havertz
Denmark: Schmeichel – Bah (81./Kristiansen), Andersen, Vestergaard, Christensen (81./Bruun Larsen), Maehle – Skov Olsen (69./Poulsen), Höjbjerg, Delaney (69./Nörgaard), Eriksen – Höjlund (81. /Wind)
Yellow cards: Nagelsmann (coach) and Hjulmand (coach), Bah, Maehle
