top of page
  • Writer's pictureThe Season Ticket

Euro 2020 | Denmark smash Russia to set up Wales clash

Denmark have thumped Russia 4-1 in Copenhagen to qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2020.

The Danes will face Wales in the last 16 after finishing second in Group B behind runaway leaders Belgium.

Kasper Hjulmand's men, who had lost their first two matches against Finland and Belgium, needed to beat Russia in at Parken Stadium and hope for a Belgium win against the Finnish.

Denmark's win at Parken Stadium, combined with Finland's 2-0 loss to Belgium in St Petersburg, sees the Danes finish ahead of both Finland and Russia on goal difference.

Mikkel Damsgaard opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 38th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the interval. Despite boasting 68% possession in the opening 45 minutes, the home side needed Damsgaard's wonder strike from 20 yards to make the breakthrough.

Russia gifted Denmark a second goal on the hour mark, with Yussuf Poulsen coolly finishing from eight yards to punish a truly dreadful back pass from Daler Kuzyaev.

Russia were then given a lifeline in the 68th minute when Danish defender Jannick Vestergaard hauled Alexander Sobolev to the ground inside the box. Artem Dzyuba duly fired his penalty straight down the middle to make it 2-1.

Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen restored Denmark's two-goal lead with a fantastic drive from 25 yards, fizzing his first-time shot into the top corner in the 80th minute.

Man of the match Joakim Maehle made it 4-1 moments later with an excellent low finish from the edge of the box to send the 25,000 fans inside Parken Stadium into raptures.

The three-goal victory means Denmark finish second in the group and now have a knockout tie against Wales to look forward to in Amsterdam.

2 views0 comments
bottom of page