Denmark advanced to the 2020 EUROS Quarterfinals with a solid 4-0 win over Wales on June 26 in Amsterdam, thanks to a brace from forward Kasper Dolberg (Nice in France), who was making his first start of the tournament, and two late Danish goals at the end of the match
Wales began the match well during the first 25 minutes and had more attacking moves, with their best chance falling to Gareth Bale (Real Madrid of Spain), who narrowly missed from a long shot which just slid past the far post in the 10th minute.
Dolberg scored Denmark's first goal with a wonderful bending ball from the top of the penalty area in the 27th minute. At the half, Wales had a narrow advantage on total shots (7 vs. 5) while Denmark had more shots on frame (3 vs. 1) but a strong advantage in possession (58% vs 42%).
Early in the second half, Dolberg scored his second goal after a poor clearance in the penalty area, slotting home from about 5 meters out in the 48th minute. Joakim Maehle (Atalanta) came from his defensive position to score a third goal for Denmark in the 88th minute. Martin Braithwaite (Barcelona) scored a fourth goal in the 94th minute. Denmark finished with 16 goal attempts to 11 for Wales (8 to 1 for shots on frame) and possession (53% vs. 47%).
Wales was trying to replicate their run to the Quarterfinals at the 2016 edition in France while Denmark continued its emotional run in this tournament, ranging from their teammate Christian Eriksen having to be stretchered off after suffering cardiac arrest in the first half of their opening game loss against Finland (1-0) to the resounding 4-1 dispatching of Russia in their last game to advance to the knockout stage with only 3 points from their 3 games—all played in Copenhagen. This was Denmark's first European Championship knock-out stage win since winning the title in 1992.
EURO 2020 - Group Stage
Wales – 0
Denmark – 4 (Dolberg 27', 48', Maehle 88', Braithwaite 94')
Johan Cruijff ArenA--Amsterdam
Man of the Match: Kasper Dolberg
Tim Grainey is a contributor to Tribal Football. His latest book Beyond Bend it Like Beckham on the global game of women's football. Get yours copy today.
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