Denmark throttles Russia to snatch round of 16 spot at Euro 2020
In terms of sheer excitement and drama, Euro 2020 will struggle to top what took place on Monday at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
Denmark overcame a tough start at the tournament to snatch second place in Group B following a spectacular 4-1 win over Russia that vaulted the Danes from the basement of the quartet into the knockout stage.
Belgium, a team that was assured of progression ahead of Monday's contest, finishes atop the group on nine points after edging out Finland 2-0 in St. Petersburg.
Roberto Martinez's Belgium squad will now face a third-place side from Group A, D, E, or F on June 27 in Seville, while Denmark meets Wales in Amsterdam on June 26.
Finland will await the completion of group-stage play to learn if it has nabbed one of the four spots in the round of 16 for third-placed finishers.
| # | TEAM | GD | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | +6 | 9 |
| 2 | Denmark | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Finland | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | Russia | -5 | 3 |
Nine days after Danish talisman Christian Eriksen collapsed at the same venue, the Danes put forth a truly inspired performance against Russia.
Mikkel Damsgaard opened the scoring in the 38th minute when the Sampdoria winger created a half yard of space before firing off a right-footed looping attempt that swerved into the upper reaches of the Russian net.
Damsgaard, who replaced Eriksen in the starting XI, gave the hosts a well-deserved first-half lead that was mostly balanced on a knife's edge. It stayed that way until the second stanza, when Yusuf Poulsen doubled Denmark's advantage before Artem Dzyuba clawed one back from the penalty spot for Russia with 20 minutes to play.
The tension in the Danish capital was quickly abated when those in attendance learned of Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky's own goal against Belgium that provisionally moved Denmark into the second spot.
Andreas Christensen then put the 38,000 present into a frenzy during the 79th minute with a dazzling strike from distance to make it 3-1 before wing-back Joakim Maehle bagged Denmark's fourth minutes later on the counterattack.
The contest in Copenhagen was a frenzied affair, but Belgium's win over Finland was the opposite.
Martinez enjoyed the luxury of making eight changes after his side secured progression with a 2-1 win over Denmark this past Thursday. Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard rotated in to make their first starts of the tournament after shaking off ailments.
There was little subtlety to Finland's approach against the favored Belgians. The Nordic side was happy to soak up pressure with 11 men behind the ball, knowing that a draw on Monday would be enough to guarantee at worst a third-place finish on four points.
Belgium was eager to oblige in an affair that resembled a training exercise, with Hradecky's own goal and Romelu Lukaku's third tally of the tournament nine minutes from time ensuring top spot in the group.