In a thrilling encounter at the BVB Stadion Dortmund, Germany secured a place in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals for the first time in eight years, overcoming Denmark with a solid 2-0 victory. The hosts were powered to victory by goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala, in a match that saw its fair share of drama and disrupted gameplay due to severe weather conditions.
Germany established their dominance right from the start, taking control of the ball and dictating the pace. Within the first four minutes, defender Nico Schlotterbeck found the net, only for his goal to be disallowed due to an earlier foul play. This initial setback didn’t weaken Germany’s resolve as they continued to press forward relentlessly.
Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had a busy night, making crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Schmeichel was tested early by a series of dangerous attempts from German midfielder Joshua Kimmich and forward Kai Havertz. Despite Germany’s relentless assault, the Danish defense held firm, preventing an early breakthrough.
At the half-hour mark, the game encountered an unusual disruption due to severe weather conditions, leading to a temporary suspension. The unexpected pause seemed to break the momentum of both teams. Upon resumption, Germany came back just as ferocious. Havertz had a prime opportunity to score with a header, but Schmeichel thwarted his effort superbly. Another chance fell to Schlotterbeck, but his header veered into the side netting, keeping the scoreline goalless.
Denmark began showing signs of resurgence towards the end of the first half, with forward Rasmus Hojlund leading a counterattack that culminated in a crucial save by Germany’s experienced custodian Manuel Neuer. The first half concluded with both teams locked in stalemate, each having had their opportunities but failing to capitalize.
Early in the second half, Denmark seemed to have taken the lead when Joachim Andersen found the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed after a review showed Thomas Delaney in an offside position, much to the relief of the German side. The disallowed goal appeared to rejuvenate Denmark briefly, but fortunes soon changed dramatically.
The turning point came in the 53rd minute when Andersen, incidentally central to Denmark’s previous offside goal, conceded a penalty by handling the ball inside the box.
. Stepping up to take the spot-kick, Havertz confidently converted, breaking the deadlock and giving Germany a 1-0 lead. The goal significantly shifted the balance of the game.
Not resting on their laurels, Germany continued to push forward. Havertz almost doubled the lead shortly after his penalty, but once again, Schmeichel stood in his way during a one-on-one confrontation. Denmark was forced to open up their game in search of an equalizer, which proved to be both a boon and a bane.
Newer showcased his shot-stopping skills in the 66th minute by denying Hojlund’s well-aimed effort, preserving Germany’s slender lead. Germany made their dominance count just two minutes later when Schlotterbeck played a pivotal role—this time setting up Jamal Musiala for Germany’s second goal. Musiala’s exquisite curling shot into the top right corner gave Schmeichel no chance, effectively sealing the victory for Germany.
Denmark struggled to find a way back into the match following the second goal, and while Germany eased off slightly, they were wasteful with several scoring opportunities in the closing stages. Nevertheless, the two-goal cushion was enough to secure Germany’s passage to the quarterfinals, where they will meet either Spain or Georgia on July 5.
Post-match, Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance despite the interruptions. “We started well and scored early on. It was a hectic clash due to the suspension, but we showed resilience. We should have scored more goals though,” he commented.
This crucial win underlines Germany’s intentions in Euro 2024, offering a significant morale boost as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.
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