Germany defeated Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16

The tournament hosts beat Denmark 2-0 (0-0) in the round of 16 in Dortmund on Saturday evening, making them the second team after Switzerland to book their ticket for the round of the last eight. They will face either Spain or Georgia in Stuttgart on July 5. The German goals were scored by Kai Havertz (53’/penalty) and Jamal Musiala (68′) after the break.

Bayern attacker Musiala drew level with Georgian Georges Mikautadze at the top of the scorers’ list with his third goal of the tournament. The match ended later than planned because a heavy thunderstorm with lightning and hailstorms resulted in a 25-minute break after 34 minutes of play. The second half was then played without interruption in better weather conditions.

Germany started with a lot of pressure

The Germans started with a power play with Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum and Leroy Sane, who had been brought into the starting eleven, and gave the Danes, who had Christian Eriksen and Thomas Delaney, who had become fit in time, hardly any time to breathe. Kasper Schmeichel had to parry a long-range shot from Kimmich over the goal (7th minute) and was also called upon to deal with shots from Schlotterbeck (7th minute), Havertz (10th minute) and Robert Andrich (11th minute).

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The Danes faltered, but after about 20 minutes they found their way into the game a little better and at least made some inroads in attack. An Eriksen shot was blocked (21st minute), and Joakim Maehle missed from a tight angle (24th minute). Just as the Danes were at their best, heavy rain started, which resulted in a thunderstorm with lightning and made the interruption necessary. After about 20 minutes, the players returned to the field, and five minutes later referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle for the game to continue. And there were plenty of highlights.

Schmeichel made a dream save from a Havertz header, and Schlotterbeck headed the ball into the side netting immediately afterwards (37′). Shortly afterwards, the central defender moved into the negative spotlight on the other side, dribbled his way out of the box in his own penalty area, but was lucky that ex-Graz player Rasmus Höjlund only hit the side netting (42′). Höjlund became even more dangerous in the 45th minute, but was unable to beat Manuel Neuer in a 1:1 duel after a beautiful counterattack. After the restart, the game continued briskly and cheerfully, with neither team willing to settle for a draw.

Joachim Andersen became a tragic figure

Joachim Andersen scored with his left foot after a failed attempt by Delaney to make it 1-0, but the goal was disallowed due to the assist provider being in a very narrow offside position (48′). A short time later, an even more bitter VAR intervention followed for the Danes. Andersen, of all people, got the ball on his hand when he was passed through space, so the penalty was justified and was safely converted by Havertz. The solo striker should have added to the lead, but narrowly missed after running alone towards Schmeichel’s goal (59′).

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That could have backfired, but Neuer thwarted another great chance from Höjlund (66′). The Germans were more efficient. After a long pass from Schlotterbeck, Schmeichel hesitated as he ran out, then went back into the goal and had no chance to parry Musiala’s well-placed shot. After that, the success of team manager Julian Nagelsmann’s team could have been even greater, but further goals were rightly disallowed. For the Danes, sensational European champions in 1992, the tournament ended without a win, having previously advanced from Group C as runners-up with three draws.