The German national football team became the second quarterfinalist in this year’s edition of Euro 2024. The hosts of the tournament faced an extremely challenging task in the first stage of the direct eliminations, but still sent the tough team of Denmark home after 2-0 in front of 62,000 people at the “Signal Iduna Park” in Dortmund. The goals for Julian Nagelsmann’s team came at the beginning of the second half, scored by Kai Havertz from a penalty and Jamal Musiala.
The development of events could have been different if, immediately after the break, VAR intervention led to the cancellation of a goal for the guests, scored by Andersen. Literally in the next attack, referee Michael Oliver again used the system, but this time to award a penalty for the Germans.
With its slightly changed tactical structure, the German team tried to be aggressive from the very first minute of the match. One of the new names in the squad – David Raum, made a dangerous breakthrough on the wing, which ended with a sharp pass, cut off by Vestergaard.
There was a brief moment of joy at “Signal-Iduna Park” in the 180th second, when Germany for a moment thought it was already leading the score. Nico Schlotterbeck jumped the highest at a corner kick and headed the ball into Schmeichel’s net. As he began to celebrate his goal, the referee Michael Oliver signaled for a foul in attack, which was committed by the Borussia (Dortmund) defender at club level.
What happened only further motivated Nagelsmann’s team, which quickly created a new chance in the fifth minute. Joshua Kimmich shot from medium range and forced Schmeichel to make an acrobatic save with one hand.
In the opening chords of the match, the Danes clearly didn’t know how to stop Schlotterbeck in set pieces, as he was again allowed to head the ball and the fate of the Scandinavians again depended on the actions of their goalkeeper.
The classic home pressure of the Germans showed no signs of stopping, as Schmeichel had to increase his number of saves in a matter of seconds. First after a great free kick by Kai Havertz, and then after the resulting corner and after a header by Robert Andrich.
Denmark hinted that it would be lurking for its opponent on the counterattack. This became clear in the 20th minute, when Eriksen took control of a long ball and did everything he needed to shoot at Neuer. Antonio Rüdiger used the perfect moment to block the shot with his body.
Shortly before the half-time whistle, a terrible thunderstorm broke out over Dortmund, which forced referee Michael Oliver to temporarily stop the match.
After about 20 minutes, during which the two teams were sent to their dressing rooms, the round of 16 match at Euro 2024 was resumed. And its restart could have brought a goal to Denmark’s net. Kai Havertz was fed with a great cross, but his header was brilliantly saved by Schmeichel.
Nico Schlotterbeck could have put Germany in big trouble in the 42nd minute, when he lost the ball to Hojbjerg in a sensitive area. The Manchester United striker immediately used the opportunity to fire a shot that went into the back of the net.
The Mannschaft was caught on a brutal counterattack in the 44th minute, when a loss of possession in the center of the pitch allowed Eriksen to immediately continue for Delaney. The midfielder put a pass in perspective for Hojbjerg, as the goalscorer needed a little more speed to overcome the impenetrable Manuel Neuer who came out at the perfect moment.
The entire German nation experienced a serious stress test after seeing Denmark take the lead in the 48th minute. The “Red Dynamite” reached a cross into the penalty area, where an incredible melee took place. In its epicenter was Joachim Andersen, who acted most intelligently and immediately directed the ball into Neuer’s net. However, his joy did not last long, as Michael Oliver was called in by VAR to be told that seconds before his goal shot, the defender was in an offside position.
However, that was not all from VAR, as 60 seconds later the video referee system was again used. This time for a situation on the other side of the pitch, where a cross by Raum had found the hand of the hero from the previous moment – Joachim Andersen. Through the special technology in the official ball of Euro 2024, it became clear that there was still a slight touch between it and his fingers, so that Michael Oliver could point to the penalty. Kai Havertz took on the responsible task and overcame Schmeichel to make it 1-0.
The dynamic development of events in Dortmund continued in the 60th minute, when Havertz could have brought the Germans even closer to the quarterfinals. The Arsenal star played a pass in such a way that he immediately eliminated two of the Danes. Left alone against Schmeichel, however, he decided to finish technically and his shot went past the far post.
The Bundesteam still achieved its big goal and quickly doubled the lead. The tournament hosts were already seeing themselves among the best eight after Jamal Musiala scored for 2-0. Denmark’s defense reacted inadequately to a long ball from Schlotterbeck, which led to a misunderstanding between Andersen and Schmeichel. This was capitalized on by Germany’s number 10, who, alone against the Danish captain, elegantly punished them with a shot on the ground.
Germany scored a third goal by the end of the match, but it was disallowed for offside by substitute Florian Wirtz. Kai Havertz also missed out on a second goal, missing alone against Schmeichel in the fourth minute of added time.
Despite the drama and some controversial moments, Germany emerged victorious and secured their place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. They will now face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in their quest for the European title.
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