Germany 2-0 Denmark
It’s already been said that the hosts need to be at their own party but not like this.
This isn’t how Euro 2024 matches should be decided.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not Germany’s fault that VAR intervened twice in as many minutes in their favour and, after this victory over Denmark, they remain my tip to win the tournament.
But the two key moments in this contest – both extremely harsh decisions and perfect examples of why VAR interpretation is spoiling so much about the game right now – contributed massively to the result.
The first arrived just three minutes after the restart when Thomas Delaney’s mis-hit effort was deflected to the feet of Joachim Andersen who expertly lashed home for what he thought was his first ever Denmark goal.
It was then ruled out for offside.
Within a minute the luckless Andersen – who has impressed over the past two seasons with Crystal Place – saw a David Raum cross take the smallest flick off his arm, which was in a natural position, and again – due to VAR interpretation – a penalty was awarded.
Kai Harvertz netted from the spot with a perfectly converted penalty, it had to be to beat Kasper Schmeichel, and with that the Danes’ sense of injustice was complete.
Germany still had time for more Euro 2024 highlights and after Havertz rolled the ball wide when he should have scored, preceded by a beautiful piece of skill to create his own chance, they made the contest safe.
By this point the deflated Danes had committed men forward and, from a long Nico Schlotterbeck ball, talented youngster Jamal Musiala raced through and coolly slotted home the second.
Germany were through and the Euro 2024 betting odds on the hosts continue to be shortened, while the Danes are rightly aggrieved.
Highlights of the game
Back to the start and the host nation, which had an extra two days to prepare for the knockout stages, made the early running with a dominant opening 10 minutes.
An early goal by Schlotterbeck was correctly ruled out for a foul before Schmeichel saved a Joshua Kimmich piledriver and the Danish custodian then parried away a first-time Havertz volley after a brilliant ball from Antonio Rudiger split open the Danish defence.
To the credit of the Scandinavians, they took the sting out of the home side who were briefly booed as the Danes enjoyed spells of keep-ball.
Christian Eriksen had missed training on Friday but there was always a feeling he could produce a magic moment of creativity with close control and touch.
And when he combined with his team-mate for club and country, Rasmus Hojlund, Joakim Maehle should have done a lot better than rifle high and wide with team mates waiting in the middle.
On a summer’s night, rain arrived, as did thunder n’ lightning, which gave players a brief respite 10 minutes before the break as play was temporarily suspended.
The Danes were actually edging the contest when play was interrupted but, within a few minutes of it resuming, they almost fell behind.
Referee Michael Oliver awarded Germany a very fortuitous free-kick and Havertz met the delivery but his header was saved at point blank range by Schmeichel.
On stroke of half time, a fine first-time ball by Eriksen provided Denmark with a huge chance to take the lead.
In a swift counter-attack, Thomas Delaney was clean through but didn’t have quite the pace and Manuel Neuer was quick off his line as Hojlund tried to dink the ball over the German veteran.
Hojlund was also denied by a good Neuer save in the second period but by the then the damage – and the injustice – was clear.
Before this contest, the knives were supposedly being sharpened for Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand after a dispiriting and inconsistent group stage that – according to the Danish tabloid BT – was “less exciting than the general meeting of the local antenna association”.
His contract runs until 2026 and an exit now would seem harsh given the manner in which were beaten, nor the fact he doesn’t quite have the quality in depth of player some of his predecessors had to work with – think Peter Schmiechel and the Laudrup brothers (though he does have Eriksen and Peter’s son Kasper, who denied Havertz again well in stoppage time).
On a night when Denmark had no luck at all, this fixture conjured up memories of 32 years ago, almost to the day, and the final of Euro 1992 one of my favourite ever occasions on the international stage as the rank outsiders comprising one of my heroes, Schmeichel senior, took on and saw off the world champions Germany.
While I’m being nostalgic, a final note to ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley. In his final match for the station – their choice – his mastery of the microphone was as brilliant as ever.
For this Sbotop observer, the network have had a distinct edge over the BBC in their coverage of this tournament.
However, his early departure will, quite frankly, lead to a drop in standards. He remains as good a commentator as anyone and better than most.
An own goal – not the only one of the night.
Key statistics
This was only Germany’s second victory in seven meetings with Denmark.
The Scandinavians have lost all six of their previous European Championship matches against host nations, including one against Germany in the 1988 group stage.
Germany have reached the knockout stages for a fifth consecutive time in this tournament.
Havertz is the second German player to net multiple penalty goals (excluding shootouts) at a single major tournament, after Fritz Walter for West Germany at the 1954 World Cup.
Musiala is the first German player in 10 years to score at least three goals at a major tournament since Thomas Muller (five) and Andre Schurrle (three) at the 2014 World Cup.
What’s next?
Spain or Georgia await the Germans on Friday (July 5).
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
