There’s no doubt about it, Denmark is the fan favorite at Euro 2020. After Christian Eriksen’s terrifying cardiac arrest in the Danes’ first group-stage match, the soccer world has rallied around Denmark. Now there’s something special happening with the Danish team, which against all odds has reached the quarterfinals after a 4-0 win over Wales on Saturday.
Apparently, even Liverpool and Wales defender Neco Williams was getting in on the love for Denmark, or at least it looked like it after his ill-fated attempted clearance proved to be the perfect pass for Denmark’s second goal.
After losing to Finland shortly after Eriksen’s collapse, Denmark has been playing inspired football. Though the Danes fell short against world No. 1 Belgium 2-1, they beat Russia 4-1 to become the first team to lose its first two games and still reach the knockout stages of the Euros. Their inspired form continued on Saturday against a Wales team that reached the semifinals of Euro 2016.
Denmark vs Wales Highlights Euro 2020 Round of 16
Kasper Dolberg opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a strike very much worthy of a Euro knockout-stage winner. The finish was sublime, but so was the pass from Joakim Mæhle into Mikkel Damsgaard to start the attack.
Although Wales had moments when it was on top, Denmark got better as the match went on, and the Danes weren’t going to turn down a bit of help.
Dolberg took full advantage of a misplayed clearance from Williams to send the Danes on their way three minutes into the second half.
Although shouty man Taylor Twellman thought there was a foul in the buildup by Simon Kjær on Kieffer Moore, Wales had plenty of chances to stop the attack, particularly Joe Rodon, who just let Martin Braithwaite waltz past him on the wing. Williams could have cleared it anywhere but right at Dolberg but instead helped the Danes take a 2-0 lead.
After the goal, even as Wales pushed to get back into the match, Denmark still created the better chances. Braithwaite somehow failed to put away a rebound, hitting the post from about a yard out, but it didn’t matter as Wales failed to really trouble Kasper Schmeichel in goal with just one shot on target all game.
Mæhle made it three in the 89th minute, cutting inside before smashing a shot past a helpless Danny Ward.
¡Bombaaaaaaaazo! Cayó el tercero y Dinamarca será el primer invitado a Cuartos de la Eurocopa #WAL 0-3 #DEN#EuroTUDN I #VeranoDeCampeones I #EURO2020
¡En vivo!
GRATIS en la app de TUDN, @PrendeTV y @TudnRadio
https://t.co/E76UJtuUYE pic.twitter.com/Z7WZNL9qFJ— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 26, 2021
And to add insult to injury, after a red card to Harry Wilson, Braithwaite scored the fourth, aided by VAR overturning an offside call on the pitch.
¡El cuarto de Dinamarca! ⚽ Goleada en Amsterdam #WAL 0-4 #DEN#EuroTUDN I #VeranoDeCampeones I #EURO2020
¡En vivo!
GRATIS en la app de TUDN, @PrendeTV y @TudnRadio
https://t.co/E76UJtuUYE pic.twitter.com/s5jIcw7QcP— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 26, 2021
Denmark now awaits the winner of the Netherlands-Czech Republic match in a quarterfinal on Saturday, July 3, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
It’s hard not to think about the possibility of the Danes replicating their historic Euro 1992 win, when Kasper Schmeichel’s dad, Peter, led Denmark to a stunning win over Germany in the final. That year, Denmark wasn’t even supposed to be at the competition, only getting in after Yugoslavia pulled out due to wars going on at home.
Could this Danish team once again shock the world to be crowned champion of Europe? The way they’re playing now, it certainly looks possible.
