Germany scored two second-half goals as they defeated Denmark in Dortmund to reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2024.
The hosts’ Round of 16 match proved chaotic as the first half was delayed by 25 minutes due to a thunderstorm and torrential rain.
However, Kai Havertz’s 53rd-minute penalty was followed by a brilliant strike from Jamal Musiala 15 minutes later as Germany reached the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since 2016.
Thunder and lightning take first half center stage
Thunderstorms had been predicted in the lead up to Germany’s first knockout game of the tournament, but it did not stop more than 40,000 spectators from showing up at Dortmund’s fan zone.
The spectators believed the home side had taken the lead after just three minutes when Nico Schlotterbeck headed in from a corner only for the goal to be ruled out after a video assistant referee (VAR) system adjudged Joshua Kimmich to have blocked off a defender in the lead up.
Germany continued to dominate the early exchanges, with Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel forced into a full-length dive to keep out Havertz’s fizzing shot.
Although Denmark tussled their way back into the match, play was brought to a halt after 35 minutes when a ferocious thunderstorm broke out in the skies.
For 25 minutes, fans inside the Dortmund Arena sheltered from the lightning and hail stones, while those in the local fan zone were forced to be evacuated.
When the match eventually resumed for the final 10 minutes of the first half, Havertz saw a golden opportunity missed as he headed a brilliant cross straight at Schmeichel.
Germany take advantage of Denmark misfortune
After players returned to the field and resumed play, the match turned on its head as Joachim Andersen’s evening went from elation to disaster in a matter of 60 seconds.
The Danish defender believed he had given his side the lead when Germany failed to deal with a set-piece and Thomas Delaney’s blocked shot landed at the feet of Andersen, who lashed home from 10 yards.
However, Denmark’s goal was ruled out by VAR for the narrowest of offsides before a mere moments later the video replay technology came to the fore again as it adjudged Andersen to have handled the ball in the box.
Havertz made no mistake from 11 meters out, striking his penalty into the far right corner to the elation of 80,000 fans at the stadium.
Denmark pushed for an equalizer but were caught out when a long ball sent forward from Germany defender Schlotterbeck was latched on to by Musiala, who buried the ball past Schmeichel to double the hosts’ lead.
It was a well-deserved win for Germany who will face either Spain or Georgia in Friday’s quarterfinal in Stuttgart.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
