Denmark 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Shane Duffy headed a late equaliser at the Telia Parken tonight to give Ireland a valuable draw in a difficult away game to Denmark.
That puts Mick McCarthy’s side top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group D on seven points, but leaves Denmark near the foot of the table with just two. Ireland has suffered at the hands of Denmark in the UEFA Nations League and World Cup play-offs in recent years, so when Duffy cancelled out Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s opener it was very sweet for the Irish.
The Denmark vs Republic of Ireland betting odds pointed to a home win, with the Danes at 1.57 to triumph, but the draw at 3.70 turned out to be the best value! Denmark launched a stunning comeback to draw 3-3 in Switzerland last time out, scoring three times in the last six minutes, but on this occasion a draw was a poor result for Age Hareide’s team.
This is shaping up to be one of SBOBET Euro 2020’s tightest groups with a strong Switzerland side also in the shake-up, so keep an eye on Group D!
Highlights of the game
Christian Eriksen has set the Premier League transfer rumour mill running this week with his admission that he is open to a move away from Tottenham Hotspur. And he had the first attempt of the game with an 11th minute free-kick which bounced just in front of Darren Randolph and the Ireland keeper pushed the ball wide.
He was called upon again just two minutes later when Martin Braithwaite found himself with space to get a shot away from 20 yards, and Randolph saved low to his right. Ireland came so close to going ahead, midway through the half when Conor Hourihane whipped a cross in, which Duffy met but as the ball was about to cross the line Kasper Schmeichel made a crucial save.
Eriksen began to take control of the midfield as Denmark began to play with more fluidity but without a real cutting edge, and it was little surprise when the teams went in level at the break.
Randolph made a superb save early in the second half when Yussuf Poulson skipped through the Irish defence, but the keeper made himself big to block the striker’s effort. Then at the other end Robbie Brady found James McClean on the left with a superb ball, but Schmeichel was equal to the wide man’s cross shot.
The hosts should have gone ahead just on the hour when Poulson found Braithwaite in space but he blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy; and that was about his last action as he was substituted, making way for Kasper Dolberg.
Finally the Danes broke through Ireland’s resistance and it was another substitute, Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who broke the deadlock on 76 minutes. Jens Stryger Larsen whipped in a beautiful ball which Hojbjerg met with a glancing header past the Ireland stopper.
It was as much as Denmark deserved after a more positive second half’s performance and they pressed forward in search of a second. But McCarthy’s side doesn’t know when it’s beaten and when Alan Judge put in a great ball on 84 minutes, big Shane Duffy rose to plant his header past a despairing Schmeichel.
Ireland had a glorious chance to nick the game after a fast break when McClean was free on the left but Schmeichel saved again.
As the fourth official announced four minutes of extra time, Ireland concentrated on defence and preserving the valuable point.
Key statistics
Denmark dominated possession in the first half with 61 per cent of the ball and won the shot count by seven to three, but while Ireland only managed a single shot on target, the Danes had just two.
But despite continuing to dominate the ball the hosts couldn’t shake Ireland off, and while they won the 90 minute shot count by 18 to seven, Ireland had four on target to Denmark’s three.
Mick McCarthy’s side were always going to be happy with a draw against Denmark, after suffering against these opponents in recent encounters. But they still have the better of the head to heads with two wins to their opponents’ one.
What’s next?
Next up Denmark hosts Georgia on Monday, while Mick McCarthy takes his side back to Ireland to face the minnows of Gibraltar, who they beat 0-1 in the away leg. We’ll be here throughout the weekend with all the latest Euro 2020 updates as they happen.
Georgia beat Gibraltar 3-0 in tonight’s other Group D match to move up into third place above Denmark, and that’s something Hareide will want to put right.
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