DORTMUND: A Kai Havertz penalty and a Jamal Musiala strike gave Germany a 2-0 win over Denmark because the host nation reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals after a dramatic recreation that was delayed by virtually half an hour within the first half due to a violent storm.
Havertz stroked dwelling from the spot early within the second half in Dortmund following a handball by Joachim Andersen, the unfortunate Danish defender who had a purpose disallowed on the different finish solely moments earlier.
Musiala, of Bayern Munich, then ran away to stroke within the second purpose halfway by way of the second half as Germany’s class advised.
At one level it appeared as if the sport could possibly be deserted as English referee Michael Oliver stopped play within the thirty fifth minute of the primary half and took the groups off the pitch whereas a violent storm handed overhead.
Torrential rain, hailstones, excessive winds, thunder and lightning prompted a break in play of 25 minutes earlier than the motion may resume.
It made for a memorable evening, and one which ended with the host nation coming by way of a stern check of their credentials to preserve alive their dream of successful the trophy in Berlin on July 14.
The path is about to get a lot more durable from right here, nonetheless, and Julian Nagelsmann’s staff will now go to Stuttgart for a quarter-final subsequent Friday towards both much-fancied Spain or shock bundle Georgia.
Meanwhile Denmark, who famously beat Germany within the 1992 European Championship closing, go dwelling with out successful a recreation — they’d certified from their group with three attracts.
Nagelsmann made three adjustments to the Germany aspect following their final outing, a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
Nico Schlotterbeck changed the suspended Jonathan Tah in central defence, David Raum got here in at left-back, and Leroy Sane was most popular to Florian Wirtz on the appropriate wing.
Schlotterbeck, of Borussia Dortmund, thought he had given Germany the lead inside 4 minutes when he headed in a nook in entrance of the large South Stand.
He ran off in celebration, however the purpose was disallowed due to a foul by Joshua Kimmich.
Denmark’s Andersen out of luck
It threatened to change into a irritating evening for the house staff as they have been then thwarted on a number of events by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
He tipped over a rasping drive by Kimmich and turned a Havertz volley across the put up because the Danes weathered the early storm.
Another one was coming, and when the motion ultimately restarted with the pitch now sodden, Germany rapidly cranked up the stress once more.
A Raum cross from the left was met by the pinnacle of Havertz, however Schmeichel — whose father performed in that 1992 closing — was as soon as once more readily available to make an excellent save.
The Danes did pose a risk on the break as they attacked in the direction of their very own supporters, however Rasmus Hojlund hit the side-netting after catching Schlotterbeck in possession, after which noticed Manuel Neuer come out and save at his ft.
The recreation was interrupted once more for the half-time break, earlier than Denmark — and Andersen specifically — have been left to rue two VAR interventions originally of the second half.
First, on 48 minutes, Andersen thought he had scored when he fired in because the ball broke to him within the field, however the VAR staff advised the referee to rule out the purpose due to an offside towards Thomas Delaney, who had supplied the help.
As quickly as play resumed, Germany attacked and a Raum cross deflected off the outstretched hand of Andersen within the space.
The Crystal Palace participant’s offence was penalised following one other examine, and Havertz scored his second penalty of the competitors.
Havertz and Sane missed nice possibilities to make it 2-0 earlier than Musiala latched onto a easy ball excessive and ran by way of to internet his third purpose of the Euros to change into the joint-top scorer alongside Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze.
Wirtz, on from the bench, had a late purpose that might have made it 3-0 disallowed for offside, however Germany have momentum and can take some stopping now.
