Germany survives scare, storms to victory over Denmark: Musiala shines as hosts reach Euros quarters.

The German national team booked their ticket to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Denmark at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. The match, however, wasn’t without its drama. An early disallowed goal, a weather suspension, and a tense second half all unfolded before Germany emerged victorious.

The Germans started with a bang, with Schlotterbeck heading home from a Kroos corner in just the 4th minute. However, their celebrations were short-lived as the referee whistled for a foul in the build-up by Gundogan. Denmark themselves came close through Eriksen’s free-kick, which was well blocked by the German wall.

Just as the game settled into a rhythm, the heavens opened up. Heavy rain, thunder, and hail forced the referee to suspend play for a significant period in the 35th minute. Thankfully, the storm subsided after 25 minutes, and the players were able to resume their battle.

The second half picked up where the first left off, with both sides pushing for the opening goal. The deadlock was finally broken in the 51st minute through a controversial penalty. Denmark’s Anderson was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box after a VAR review. Havertz stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty past Schmeichel to give Germany a crucial lead.

Denmark responded positively, with a disallowed goal for offside just three minutes later. However, their attacking impetus waned as the half progressed. Germany, on the other hand, grew in confidence. Musiala, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, finally put the result beyond doubt in the 68th minute. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, he embarked on a mazy run, leaving Danish defenders in his wake before slotting the ball into the far corner.

The final stages of the match saw Denmark throw everything they had at the German defense, but Neuer remained resolute in goal. A late goal from substitute Wirtz was chalked off for offside by VAR, ensuring Germany’s victory.

Key takeaways:

• Germany’s defense, marshalled by the experienced duo of Rüdiger and Schlotterbeck, stood strong throughout the match.
• Jamal Musiala was a constant menace for the Danish defense and deservedly earned his player-of-the-match performance.
• Denmark will rue their missed chances, particularly the disallowed goal early in the second half.

Germany (4-3-3):

• Neuer
• Kimmich, Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum (subbed by Henriks)
• Kroos, Andrich (subbed by Emre Can), Gundogan (subbed by Phil Krueger)
• Musiala (subbed by Wirtz), Havertz, Sané

Denmark (3-4-3):

• Schmeichel
• Anderson, Westgaard, Maehle
• Christensen (subbed by Larsen), Alexander Bah (subbed by Christiansen), Højbjerg, Delaney (subbed by Norgaard)
• Eriksen
• Olsen (subbed by Poulsen), Højlén (subbed by Wender)

Looking ahead:

Germany will now face either Spain or Georgia in the quarterfinals, a match that promises to be another exciting encounter. Denmark, on the other hand, head home disappointed but can take heart from their spirited performance against the host nation.

Post-Match Interviews: Germany 2-0 Denmark (Euro 2024)

Joachim Löw (Germany Manager):

“It was a very challenging match, but I’m proud of the way the team responded to the difficulties. The disallowed goal early on could have knocked us off track, and the weather interruption certainly disrupted the flow of the game. However, the players showed great character and determination to come back out and secure the win.”

“Havertz’s penalty was a crucial moment, and Musiala’s goal was simply outstanding. He’s a special talent, and it’s fantastic to see him blossoming on this stage. We still have areas to improve on, but reaching the quarterfinals is a significant achievement, and we’ll be looking to build on this momentum.”

Kasper Hjulmand (Denmark Manager):

“We’re obviously disappointed with the result, but I can’t fault the effort of my players. We created some good chances, particularly in the second half, but the disallowed goal was a big blow. The penalty decision was also debatable, but that’s the nature of football sometimes.”

“Germany is a strong team with a lot of experience, and they showed their quality today. We need to learn from this experience and come back stronger in the future. We have a talented young squad, and I’m confident they’ll bounce back from this setback.”

Kai Havertz (Germany Goal scorer):

“It feels great to score a goal, especially a penalty that put us ahead. It was a tough game, and Denmark made things difficult for us. But we stuck together as a team and managed to see it through.”

“We’re happy to be in the quarterfinals, but we know the job isn’t done yet. We have to keep working hard and focus on the next challenge.”

Jamal Musiala (Germany Man of the Match):

“I’m really pleased with my performance and the goal. It was a great feeling to score in front of the home crowd. We knew Denmark would be a tough opponent, but we were determined to win.”

“This is a young team with a lot of potential, and we’re learning and growing with every game. We’re excited about the challenge of the quarterfinals and will give our all to reach the next stage.”