HomeUEFA EuroDANES LEAPFROG INTO KNOCKOUTS

DANES LEAPFROG INTO KNOCKOUTS

By Pranav Venkatesh

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DENMARK RUSSIA

Denmark seals qualification to the knockouts in the most dramatic fashion as they trounce Russia 4-1. Damsgaard opened the scoring and Yussuf Poulsen doubled their lead in the second half capitalizing on a Russian error. Artem Dzyuba halved the deficit temporarily. Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle added late goals to seal the win. This result combined with Belgium’s 2-0 win over Finland sends Denmark through to the knockouts as the runner-ups. Russia who started the day in second position finish at rock bottom and exit the tournament cheaply.

A searing Copenhagen welcomed Russia for an all-important game. A win or a draw would’ve been enough for the Russians if Belgium were to beat Finland. Denmark knew they needed a win and nothing else from this game along with a favor from Belgium. Both sets of supporters kept an eye on the Belgium game along with this match.

Russia made a single change to their lineup as Kudryashov came in for Barinov. Mario Fernandes shook off injury concerns as he started this game. Denmark fielded the same eleven that lost valiantly to Belgium.
In search of a win, both sides made a positive start to the game. An intent to score was seen from both the games. Key matchups expected earlier were a treat to watch. Artem Dzyuba a man-mountain was fighting with the Danish captain Kjaer every time possible. A lively first half was headed towards a 0-0 draw at halftime.

It was Mikkel Damsgaard who broke the deadlock at the end of the first half. The youngster received a pass from Hojbjerg and curled a sensational effort past a rooted Matvey Safonov. Denmark deservedly took the lead into half-time. They still needed Belgium to win in their game against Finland.

Russia had to react in the second half to have any hopes of going through. Instead, the team produced a horrible performance. Denmark were dictating the play and were hardly able to hurt the hosts. They gift-wrapped the game as Kuzyaev played an awful backpass for Yussuf Poulsen to tap it into an empty net. Russia found an unlikely way in through Dzyuba’s penalty to half the deficit.

Belgium scored in their game against Finland meaning a win was enough for Denmark to go through. The Danes went on to win the game in style. Andreas Christensen scored an absolute belter from outside the box and Joakim Maehle finished the scoring as the Danish crowd erupted in joy.

A SCREAMER!

Mikkel Damsgaard has been a bright spot in the Danish side this time. An unfortunate medical emergency for Christian Eriksen opened up a spot for him. They looked for someone to step up and fill the creative void left by Eriksen’s absence. The 20-year-old midfielder took the chance with both hands.

Deployed as an inside forward behind Yussuf Poulsen, he was brilliant in the game against Belgium. The youngster showed his attacking tendencies and slick passing skills. He was over-enthusiastic as he tried to win a penalty of no contact and was rightly booked for simulation. The youngster took only the positives and came into this game.

In the same role again he was a constant menace to the Russian defence. He was making dangerous runs into the inside channels and was playing quick passes. Seven minutes from half-time he took a pass from Hojbjerg into his stride. He turned onto his right foot and displayed incredible technique before shooting. He sorted the ball and wrapped his right foot around it to give them the lead from outside the box. Damsgaard became the youngest scorer for Denmark at the Euros. Christian Eriksen would’ve been proud of that long ranger.

UP AND DOWN IN A JIFFY

As things stood at half-time, both the sides were missing out on the second spot. Finland were defending for their lives as they held Belgium 0-0. Denmark. The Danes had to hold onto the lead and pray for Belgium to win their game. The Russians knew they had to go for a win and not bank on the Belgians.

Denmark surprisingly found life easy in the second half as they got behind Russia with ease. Russia submitted meekly and gift-wrapped a second goal for Denmark. Kuzyaev’s poor back pass was tapped home by Poulsen to double their lead. It looked like their qualification was sealed as news of a Belgian goal broke through.

Denmark were not showing it but knew they were almost there. Just then they were in for a double whammy. First Belgium’s opener against Finland was chalked off for an off-side. Then Vestergaard conceded a penalty to Russia which was duly converted by Dzyuba. They were brought back to earth immediately.

LET THE PARTY BEGIN

Belgium made no mistakes this time as they opened the scoring properly in the 74th minute. Denmark now had to keep this lead and see the game through. They wanted to seal the qualification in style. After a hazy goalmouth scramble, Russians cleared the ball and it fell to Andreas Christensen. The Chelsea centre-back not known for his goal-scoring exploits hit the loose ball with absolute venom. The ball almost ripped the net and restored Denmark’s two-goal advantage. This goal started the party at the Parken stadium.

https://twitter.com/OutWideBulletin/status/1407080683764396038

The crowd were buzzing and were waiting for the full-time whistle. Joakim Maehle who had a marvelous game only went on better the party. The wing-back pushed forward and curled an effort past the keeper to make it 4-1 on the night.

For all the trauma they’ve faced in the past nine days, Denmark can finally celebrate now. The way they have recovered from a shocking Christian Eriksen is quite amazing. An entire nation held its breath and can now celebrate its heroes who have done them proud. They finish as the runner-ups of the group and go on to meet Wales in the round of 16.

This defeat means Russia finish at the bottom of group-B. On the back of a successful world cup, they were expected to be better this time. The first Euro Championship winners struggled to impose themselves this time around. A defeat to Belgium was followed by an unconvincing win over Finland, Today’s defeat to Denmark puts curtains to a disastrous Euro. They have a lot to ponder before next year’s world cup again,

Pranav Venkatesh

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