There were moments in the round of 16 against Denmark when the game threatened to turn – but the DFB team was lucky. First a goal by the Danes was disallowed, then they immediately took the lead through a penalty. In the end, however, Germany deserved to go through.
The German European Championship party continues after an extraordinary evening of football and celebrated goals from penalty taker Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala. In the 2-0 win against stubborn Danes, the national team had to endure anxious minutes of video footage in the shaking Dortmund stadium after lightning, thunder and heavy rain before storming into the quarter-finals after a long run-up.
In his 50th international match, Havertz remained completely cool in the 53rd minute and beat the previously invincible goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The video assistant had spotted a handball by Joachim Andersen, who had scored for Denmark shortly before. A moment of shock, after video evidence showed the 0:1 goal was disallowed due to an offside position.
“Oh, how beautiful”
Musiala relieved national coach Julian Nagelsmann and the crowd with his third goal of the tournament in the 68th minute. “Oh, how beautiful it is,” sang the fans. Germany is dreaming of its fourth European Championship title.
Next Friday, at 6 p.m., the big European Championship test against Spain could take place in Stuttgart. However, the strongest team in the tournament so far must first master its round of 16 match against the clear underdog Georgia on Sunday evening.
Euro 2024 round of 16
Dortmund – a rain fairytale: When everything flowed for half an hour, but nothing worked
Germany was clearly the better team in the first 20 minutes. The Danes barely made it out of their own half and could thank their goalkeeper Schmeichel that the first German goals were not scored early. The 37-year-old thwarted chances from Kimmich, Schlotterbeck (both 7th) and Havertz, who took advantage of a strong pass from defensive leader Antonio Rüdiger, who had recovered fit in time, to score (10th).
DFB selection played very variably offensively
The DFB selection, led energetically by Nagelsmann from the sidelines, played very variably in attack, but also made passing errors from time to time. Denmark’s star player Christian Eriksen got into the game a little better. A tactical instruction from the Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand, who had to do without the suspended Morten Hjulmand, was clearly visible: Musiala was attacked very early by the Danes, and the 21-year-old was hardly given any space.
During Germany’s weak phase, thunder and lightning struck from the sky. Oliver interrupted the game in the 35th minute and both teams went into the dressing room in pouring rain. The mood of the spectators remained relaxed. Danish fans danced in the water falling from the stadium roof and many people tried to protect themselves from the rain with their flags. Chancellor Olaf Scholz was also watching from the box area.
After Oliver blew the whistle to restart the match at 9:59 p.m., the DFB team actually seemed to be getting into the game better. Schmeichel prevented the German team from taking the lead through Havertz, who headed a cross from a space that was a little too central towards the Danish goal (37′). Rasmus Højlund almost punished the DFB team’s carelessness twice. The Manchester United striker stole the ball from Nico Schlotterbeck, who was dribbling in the penalty area, but shot just wide of the goal (42′). Shortly before half-time, Højlund was thwarted by a strong reaction from Manuel Neuer (45′).
In the big German scare in the 48th minute, the Bayern goalkeeper had to accept the supposed goal after great confusion in the German defense. The offside position that spoke against Andersen’s goal was extremely close.
Unfortunate ball contact
A few minutes later, the Dane became a tragic figure: a cross from the area grazed the 28-year-old’s hand, and after viewing the video images with impulse graphics of the ball contact, Oliver awarded a penalty. Havertz converted safely, as he did in the opening game against Scotland, and Nagelsmann screamed his joy on the sidelines.
After 63 minutes, the national coach brought in Dortmund’s Emre Can and Füllkrug, one to provide cover, the other to add to the score. After the next good opportunity for Højlund, which Neuer was on hand to deal with (66th minute), Schlotterbeck played a strong long ball into the path of Musiala, who left Schmeichel no chance. Germany went into the final phase with a reassuring lead, in which the Danes were no longer a threat.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
