What a wild game: Germany defeated Denmark in a stormy battle with almost 25 minutes of interruption, many VAR decisions – and is in the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
In the 2-0 (0-0) win in Dortmund, Kai Havertz (53rd minute) and Jamal Musiala (68th) scored for the DFB team, which will now face the winner of the duel between Georgia and Spain next Friday (05.07.2024) at 6 p.m.
Nagelsmann surprises with line-up
Julian Nagelsmann had surprised everyone with his line-up: David Raum came in for Maximilian Mittelstädt in his first starting eleven appearance at this European Championship, Leroy Sané replaced Florian Wirtz because Julian Nagelsmann had seen “too few deep runs behind the line” in the 1:1 draw against Switzerland. What he meant became clear after just eight seconds: From the kick-off, the Germans played steeply, and Sané was only stopped at the Danish baseline.
To the live ticker: Germany vs Denmark Arrow right Round of 16 Arrow right
Oliver blows the whistle for Schlotterbeck’s goal
The referee was responsible for the next “stop”. In the 3rd minute, the fans in Dortmund cheered a brilliant header goal by BVB defender Nico Schlotterbeck. But Michael Oliver disallowed the goal because he interpreted a “block” by Joshua Kimmich on Schlotterbeck’s guard Andreas Skov Olsen as a foul – an adventurous interpretation of the rules, which the VAR apparently did not consider worthy of review.
But Germany kept up the pressure and completely cornered Denmark in their own sixteen yard box. In the 6th minute, Kasper Schmeichel parried a full-volley from Kimmich, and from the corner that followed, he just managed to get his fist on the ball from Schlotterbeck’s next dangerous header.
Overwhelming superiority – but no yield
The lead was long overdue at this stage and was already in the air again in the 10th minute: Kai Havertz volleyed a long pass from Antonio Rüdiger ten meters in front of the Danish goal, and Schmeichel was able to direct the ball around the post with great effort. After a quarter of an hour, the shot ratio was 6:0, the DFB team had 70 percent possession, won 70 percent of the duels, 4:0 corners – but no goals.
And no opponent. But that changed after 20 minutes when Denmark decided to take part in the game. Antonio Rüdiger blocked Christian Eriksen’s first dangerous shot, then Joakim Maehle shot just wide of the left corner (23′).
Thunder, lightning and hail – Oliver interrupts
Then came the heavy rain. After half an hour, the forecast storm moved over Dortmund, and when thunder, lightning and hail were added to the mix, referee Oliver sent both teams to the changing rooms. The fans took it all in their stride, dancing topless under torrential rain from the roof of the stands, the rumble of the thunder drowned out by chants of “Oh, how beautiful it is.”
After just over 24 minutes and 25 seconds, the game resumed, and the DFB team was immediately back on track: Havertz should have scored the 1-0 after a great cross from Raum, but headed the ball straight at Schmeichel from close range.
Two careless shots and a disallowed goal
But at times the euphoria also got the better of the Germans. In the 42nd minute, Schlotterbeck tried a dribble in his own penalty area, which Rasmus Höjlund almost punished with a goal. Shortly before the break, Jamal Musiala lost the ball on the halfway line, Eriksen and Thomas Delaney served Höjlund – but Manuel Neuer made a great save against the Man United star striker.
Then things got crazy. In the 50th minute, Joachim Andersen scored after a very poor defensive performance by the Germans, but after VAR intervention, a slight offside position of the passer Delaney was recognized – Andersen celebrated in vain. But things got even worse for him. In return, the Crystal Palace center-back touched a cross with his hand very lightly, the sensor in the ball went off: The VAR intervened again, there was a penalty for Germany and Havertz kept his nerve (53rd).
Havertz solo and decision by Musiala
But this did not calm things down, and things remained completely wild. Havertz missed a possible 2-0 after a solo effort in the 60th minute, then Neuer saved again against Höjlund – and finally Musiala scored: perfectly served with a long ball from Schlotterbeck, the Munich player went alone to Schmeichel and coolly shot into the far corner (68th).
Only then did the duel calm down a bit, Germany found control, while the Danes’ faith visibly waned. Substitutes Niclas Füllkrug, Florian Wirtz and Havertz again could have made the result even clearer. A Wirtz goal was also checked for offside for a long time – but a 3-0 result would definitely have been too much of a good thing against the combative Danes.
