A Kai Havertz penalty and a Jamal Musiala strike secured Germany’s 2-0 victory over Denmark, propelling the host nation into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
The match, held in Dortmund, experienced a dramatic delay of nearly half an hour due to a violent storm in the first half.
Havertz converted a penalty early in the second half after Joachim Andersen’s handball.
Andersen, the unfortunate Danish defender, had a goal disallowed moments earlier.
Musiala, representing Bayern Munich, then doubled Germany’s lead midway through the second half, showcasing the host nation’s class.
The match faced a potential abandonment when English referee Michael Oliver halted play in the 35th minute due to severe weather.
Torrential rain, hailstones, high winds, thunder, and lightning caused a 25-minute interruption before play resumed.
The eventful night concluded with Germany overcoming a significant challenge, maintaining their quest for the trophy in Berlin on July 14.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team now faces a tougher test in Stuttgart for the quarter-finals against either Spain or Georgia.
Denmark, who historically defeated Germany in the 1992 European Championship final, exited the tournament without a win, having qualified with three draws.
Nagelsmann made three changes following Germany’s last match, a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Nico Schlotterbeck replaced the suspended Jonathan Tah in central defense, David Raum came in at left-back, and Leroy Sane was preferred over Florian Wirtz on the right wing.
Schlotterbeck, from Borussia Dortmund, thought he had scored within four minutes, but his header from a corner was disallowed due to a foul by Joshua Kimmich.
The home team faced initial frustration, frequently thwarted by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Schmeichel made key saves, tipping over a drive by Kimmich and deflecting a Havertz volley around the post.
As play resumed after the storm, Germany increased their pressure. Raum’s cross found Havertz, but Schmeichel saved again.
Denmark posed threats on the break, with Rasmus Hojlund hitting the side-netting and seeing Manuel Neuer save at his feet.
The match paused again for half-time, followed by two critical VAR interventions against Denmark. Andersen’s goal was disallowed for offside against Thomas Delaney, who provided the assist. Immediately after, Andersen’s handball led to Havertz’s penalty, his second of the tournament.
Havertz and Sane missed opportunities to extend the lead before Musiala scored his third goal of the Euros, tying with Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze as joint-top scorer.
Wirtz, substituted in, had a late goal disallowed for offside, but Germany’s momentum remains strong.
