Germany vs. Denmark: Stubborn Danes Bow Out of EURO 2024 Round of 16

Germany Overcome Stubborn Denmark to Reach Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals

Germany booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Denmark in the round of 16 clash at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund.

The hosts started the match brightly, forcing Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel into several saves in the opening 10 minutes. However, a lengthy weather delay in the first half disrupted Germany's momentum.

After the break, Germany were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute, which Kai Havertz converted to give his side the lead. Jamal Musiala then doubled the advantage in the 68th minute with a clinical finish to seal the win for the tournament hosts.

Nagelsmann's Tactical Tweaks Pay Off

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann made some key tactical adjustments that proved pivotal in the victory. He opted to start Kai Havertz ahead of Niclas Füllkrug, a decision that paid off with Havertz's penalty goal.

Nagelsmann also brought on Leroy Sane in the second half, and the Bayern Munich winger's introduction helped Germany maintain their attacking threat in the closing stages. The German coach's ability to make the right substitutions and in-game changes was crucial in overcoming a resilient Danish side.

VAR Controversy

The match was not without its fair share of VAR controversy, with a Denmark goal in the first half disallowed for a marginal offside call. [4] The use of VAR has been a topic of debate throughout the tournament, and this incident is likely to reignite the discussion around the effectiveness of the technology in football.

Looking Ahead

Germany will now face the winner of the Spain-Georgia match in the quarter-finals on July 5th. The hosts will be confident of progressing further in the tournament, but they will need to be at their best to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

The Bad Tackle

No surprises here. Denmark was not able to sustain their stance. The disallowed goal must have been frustrating and took its toll. And, after the penalty conversion by Germany, everything went downhill. Good showing though.