Russia 1-4 Denmark
Denmark are through to the Euro 2020 Round of 16 after a stunning performance to beat Russia in front of 25,000 ecstatic fans in the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
The team, backed by a passionate crowd wanted to do it for Christian Eriksen and the Russia vs Denmark betting odds suggested the Danes could do it; and when 20-year-old striker Mikkel Damsgaard fired in a screamer just before half time they started to believe. On the hour the Danish dreams became a reality when a Russian defensive gaffe gifted Yussuf Poulsen a second. Artem Dzyuba pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but any creeping anxiety was blown away by a thunderbolt from Andreas Christensen before Joakim Maehle rounded off a famous night for the Danes.
In tonight’s other Group B game Belgium beat Finland to top Group B and send the minnows home.
Highlights of the game
The Danes were outstanding in the first half of their recent defeat to Belgium and the early Russia vs Denmark highlights showed a similar story with the hosts playing attractive football and with plenty of passion, but their visitors were well organised in keeping the clear cut chances to a minimum. And it was the Russians who had the first real sight of the goal when Monaco midfielder Aleksandr Golovin went on a brilliant run into the Danish penalty area before shooting low at keeper Kasper Schmeichel who saved with his legs.
Denmark came within inches of taking the lead when Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emille Hojbjerg made space for himself, some thirty yards out, and let rip with a pile-driver which flew just wide of the left post. But what Hojbjerg couldn’t quite manage, Denmark’s boy wonder could as, when he found his space almost 25 yards out, Damsgaard hit a beauty of a shot dipping into the top right corner to send the crowd wild.
The young man who was drafted into the side to replace Christian Eriksen had just scored a goal the Inter Milan star would have been proud of himself.
Martin Braithwaite had a great chance to double the lead when Daniel Wass pulled the ball back into the danger area but the Barcelona man couldn’t sort his feet out to get a shot away, but then the Copenhagen crowd was in ecstasy again, when Poulsen made it 2-0 on the hour, thanks to a gift from the Russian defence. Daler Kuzyayev played a blind pass loosely in the direction of his keeper but right into the path of Poulsen who gleefully tapped home.
But the anxiety spread around the stadium once again when Jannik Vestergaard was judged to have fouled Aleksandr Sobolev and the referee pointed to the spot. Russia skipper Arten Dzyuba hammered the penalty home for his 30th international goal and to give his team a lifeline.
As the game swung back to the other end there was an almighty scramble in the Russia penalty area, but they somehow smuggled the ball away; and then, in an incredible passage of play, Denmark were two clear again. Russia keeper Matvei Safonov made three great saves as the shots flew in, but when the ball landed at the feet of Christensen the Chelsea man hit a rocket which the stopper only saw as it flew past him and into the net.
When Joakim Maehle cleverly beat Safonov for the fourth it was celebration time for the 25,000 fans. What a turnaround from despair just over a week ago!
Key statistics
This was the first time Denmark had hit four goals at a major tournament since they beat Nigeria 4-1 at the 1998 World Cup.
They were simply outstanding, bossing possession and having ten shots on target to Russia two, and the Danes are now everyone’s second favourite team, while in Denmark they are heroes who will be remembered for years to come.
What’s next?
The SBOTOP Euro 2020 action keeps on coming and it’s the turn of Group D to take centre stage, on Tuesday, when England host the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium and Croatia head to Glasgow to take on Scotland. England could be without Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell who are both in isolation having been in contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for COVID. With four points each the Three Lions and the Czechs are pretty much through to the knockout phase, but having lost to England in their opening game, Croatia will have to beat Scotland to give themselves a better chance of joining the last 16.
And don’t rule out Steve Clarke’s Scots who showed a lot of passion and bravery to hold the English to a 0-0 draw.
But with Group B now complete it’s time to say congratulations to Belgium and Denmark, who will play Wales in the Round of 16.
What a night!
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