Germany beats Denmark 2-0 to advance to Euro 2024 quarterfinals after storm stops play

German soccer gamers have fun after their win over Denmark within the Euro 2024 prequarterfinal match in Dortmund on June 29, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: AP

Let that patriotic fervor soar. Host nation Germany is headed to the quarterfinals on the European Championship after a moist and wild win over Denmark on June 29.

“We’re going to Berlin,” sang the jubilant Germany followers who have been first battered by rain and hail after a thunderstorm that stopped play for 25 minutes, then noticed their staff profit from back-to-back video assessment calls that helped to arrange a 2-0 victory in Dortmund.

Two extra wins will take Germany to the capital for the July 14 closing, in what might but flip right into a summer season fairy story for a nation whose soccer staff is popping out of a sorry run of performances in main tournaments.

It might have been so completely different towards the Danes, although.

The host-nation buzz was burst when, with the rating at 0-0, Denmark defender Joachim Andersen swept dwelling a close-range end that appeared to have put his staff forward within the fiftieth minute. The Video Assistant Referee noticed an offside within the buildup, a free kick was awarded and the ball was performed downfield instantly, resulting in a cross by David Raum hitting the outstretched proper arm of — who else? — Andersen.

The VAR obtained concerned once more and a penalty was awarded. Kai Havertz transformed the spot kick and Jamal Musiala added a second purpose — his third of the match, which is tied for probably the most with Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze — within the 68th.

“We performed a brilliant sport — we had loopy followers once more at this time,” Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck stated. “We’re taking part in with euphoria, we’re taking part in with enjoyable, and that’s what probably the most lovely factor about soccer is.”

It was Germany’s first win within the knockout stage of a serious match since 2016, since when the nationwide staff has did not advance from the group stage at back-to-back World Cups and misplaced within the final 16 of the final Euros in 2021 to England.

Germany will play Spain or Georgia subsequent and have become the second staff to advance from the spherical of 16, after Switzerland beat defending champion Italy 2-0 earlier Saturday.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann advised German broadcaster ZDF that he used the rain delay to indicate his gamers incidents from the primary half-hour of the sport which his staff dominated, taking part in probably the most soccer of the match, in his opinion.

Certainly, the gamers have been capable of head into the confines of the locker room whereas thunder, lightning and torrential rain struck, leaving spectators within the entrance rows significantly uncovered as they scrambled larger within the stands. Many used black-yellow-and-red flags they’d waved earlier than the match, to welcome the gamers onto the sector, as makeshift umbrellas.

“Oh, how beautiful it’s,” some sang, and some Danish supporters danced in waterfalls within the stands.

There was a few 20-minute delay earlier than the rain relented and gamers re-emerged, endeavor warmups earlier than play resumed a couple of minutes later. The pitch held up effectively within the circumstances.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was left to rue these essential couple of minutes when the massive VAR choices have been made.

“I’ve the picture right here,” he stated, whipping out his telephone on the post-match information convention. “It was one centimeter (offside). By way of statistics and information, it does not is sensible. This isn’t how we’re purported to be utilizing VAR.

“And I’m so bored with the ridiculous handball rule. Joachim was working usually. It’s a standard scenario.”

Nagelsmann sympathized with Hjulmand, saying: “I might even be irritated if it was the opposite method spherical.”

Nonetheless, it is Denmark going dwelling and Germany heading to Stuttgart on Friday.

“It was a wild sport altogether,” Nagelsmann stated.

“We got here by adversity in these seconds the place it was, ‘Was it a purpose or not a purpose?’ and ‘Was it handball or not a handball?’ That makes me proud. The staff deserves it and hopefully we’re eliminating the previous reminiscence stick and perceive how good we truly are.”