Denmark advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 (Euro 2021) after a 4-0 win over Wales in the round of 16 at the Johan Cruijff Arena Stadium, Saturday (26/6).
Denmark took a 1-0 lead over Wales in the first half through Kasper Dolberg’s 27th minute shot from outside the box.
Despite winning, Denmark did not relax the attack and kept pressing Wales at the start of the second half. Kasper Hjulmand’s team attack paid off.
Kasper Dolberg scored his second goal in the 48th minute. The goal came from Martin Braithwaite’s low cross which Neco Williams failed to clear.
The ball from Williams’ blunder actually landed at the feet of Dolberg. Calmly Dolberg released a hard right-footed kick which for the second time was lodged in Ward’s goal.
Wales captain Gareth Bale lodged a protest with referee Daniel Siebert over the goal. The reason, before the goal occurred, striker Kieffer Moore first dropped captain Simon Kjaer. However, after reviewing VAR, the referee declared Dolberg’s goal still valid.
Attempts to score an equalizer by Joe Allen in the 63rd minute. However, Allen’s volley was wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.
The transition from defense to attack Denmark is quite effective. It can not be separated from the loose defense by Wales.
In the 81st minute, through a counter-attack Martin Braithwaite again threatened the Wales defense. Braithwaite’s cross from the right hit Joe Rodon which narrowly headed to the left side of Danny Ward’s goal. Corner for Denmark.
Braithwaite wasted chances that could bring Denmark 3-0 up. In the 86th minute, Braithwaite’s shot hit the post. The rebound from Joachim Andersen also only went wide.
Left behind by two goals seems to have caught the Wales defense off guard. Towards the end of the game, Wales conceded for the third time, this time through Joakim Maehle’s goal in the 89th minute.
Mathias Jensen observantly saw Maehle who was moving freely on the right side without being escorted by opposing players. Jensen’s cross can be controlled well by Maehle. After outwitting Ben Davies, Maehle fired a hard left foot kick that broke into Ward’s goal.
At the time of having to catch up 0-3, Wales actually lost one player, Harry Wilson who was sent off by referee Siebert for violating Maehle from behind.
Denmark took advantage of the advantage in the number of players in the remaining matches. In injury time, Denmark increased their lead to 4-0 through Braithwaite’s kick in the 90+4 minute after receiving from Andreas Cornelius. The goal was disallowed because Braithwaite was in an offside position.
However, via VAR the referee confirmed Braithwaite’s goal which put Denmark ahead and closed the win 4-0. With a 4-0 win, Denmark advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
