Denmark dismantle Russia 4 – 1 to book a place in the last 16. Knowing they needed to win and hope Belgium beat Finland, the hosts did not hold back and there were passionate scenes of celebration in Denmark.
Denmark set up a last-16 tie with Wales in the European Championship after an emphatic victory over Russia on a frantic night in Copenhagen.
Mikkel Damsgaard set the stage alight with an exquisite long-range opener, while Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen also scored with a stunning strike.
Denmark finish second in the group. The result also means Russia, who started the night in second place, finish bottom of the table and will not qualify.
Yussuf Poulsen had put Denmark 2-0 up, pouncing on a poor backpass from Roman Zobnin before Artem Dzyuba got one back for Russia from the penalty spot.
But Denmark confirmed their progression to the knockout stages when Christensen and Joakim Maehle made it 4-1 in a rampant three minutes. Emotion, passion and delirium
The Parken Stadium was electric before kick-off as fans sang a passionate national anthem but it was nothing compared to the scenes at full-time.
Players and staff were huddled in the centre of the pitch waiting for confirmation of Belgium’s victory over Finland and there was an almighty roar when the result came through.
Denmark needed a victory and they delivered for the fans – Damsgaard kicking things off with a moment of magic, becoming the country’s youngest goalscorer (20 years, 335 days) at a major tournament in the process.
Poulsen was drenched in beer and thrown into the air by supporters near the goal when he netted Denmark’s second and though Dzyuba’s spot-kick created a moment of anxiety, it did not last long.
Denmark bombarded the Russian goal – keeper Matvey Safonov making a number of stunning saves – before Christensen’s thumping strike erupted the stadium once more.
Maehle’s composed finish capped it off and now Denmark head into the last 16 full of confidence with Wales awaiting next on Saturday, 26 June in Amsterdam.
Source – BBC News
