Wales 0-4 Denmark
Denmark are through to the quarter finals of the European Championship after another superb performance and a thumping victory over Wales.
Kasper Dolberg, who took his place due to an injury to Yussuf Poulsen, struck twice at the Johann Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam and Joakim Maehle made it three, late on, before Martin Braithwaite fired home a fourth; though it could easily have been more as Denmark hit the post twice. Euro 2020: Wales vs Denmark was always going to be a passionate affair and the Dragons went down to ten men as Harry Wilson was sent off, while Denmark simply blew them away.
The pre-match Wales vs Denmark betting odds here at SBOTOP said the Danes would slay the Dragons and boy, they did it in some style.
Highlights of the game
Wales made a bright start as Gareth Bale had the first shot of the night which flew wide of the left hand post, and the Dragons were looking in good shape as the Real Madrid player linked up well with Aaron Ramsay. Manchester United winger Dan James brought a save out of Kasper Schmeichel with a deflected shot as Wales enjoyed a good first 20 minutes. Then Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand made a tactical switch, bringing Andreas Christensen forward into midfield and going to a back four, and that did the trick, squeezing the space for Bale and Ramsay to operate.
The Danes gradually took control of the game, winning a succession of corners and then, as the pressure mounted, they went ahead on 27 minutes. Maehle played a beautiful pass forward which found Mikkel Damsgaard, and he pushed the ball into the path of Dolberg, and he the Nice man did the rest, curling a beautiful strike beyond the outstretched hand of Ward and into the corner of the net.
From the moment Denmark scored they were on top for the remainder of the half and Wales clung on to limit the damage and go in to half time to regroup. But the Danes came out for the second period in the same mood and they doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart; and it was gift-wrapped by shoddy Wales defending. As Denmark broke at pace Martin Braithwaite burst down the right flank and he crossed into the danger area. Neco Williams’ weak clearance landed at the feet of Dolberg and he smashed the ball home at the near post for his and Denmark’s second.
Poor Williams won’t be looking at the Wales vs Denmark highlights tonight, but his mistake alone certainly didn’t lose this game for the Dragons.
Denmark were inches away from making it three, midway through the second half, when Mathias Jensen cut in from the left and sent a cross over which evaded everyone and clipped the post. With ten minutes remaining Braithwaite had a free-kick opportunity but he fired his effort over, and then Maehle had a near post effort deflected wide.
The Danes should have had their third when Braithwaite hit the post from close range, but the goal did come when Maehle took a pass on the right and cut back onto his left and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Wales’ night got worse when Harry Wilson was sent off in injury time, but that didn’t distract anyone from Denmark’s brilliant performance as Braithwaite added a fourth.
Key statistics
Denmark were totally dominant in their 4-1 group win over Russia and they had a productive first half against Wales tonight as they enjoyed 61 per cent possession and had three shots on target to Wales’ one. In the second half they simply destroyed Wales, finishing with eight shots on target to one.
Dolberg’s goal was Denmark’s third from outside the penalty area, the highest number in the competition so far as the Danes made it four wins on the bounce against Wales.
What’s next?
So that’s one down and seven more Round of 16 games to go. Next up it’s Italy vs Austria at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, a game the in-form Azzurri are expected to win, but in the knockout phase they need to hold their nerve.
Denmark can have a well earned week off until they are back in action in the quarter finals. The winners of the game between Netherlands and Czech Republic, who play on Sunday, will meet the Danes at the Baku Stadium on Saturday 3rd July and Hjulmand’s team will go there full of confidence on the back of two convincing wins.
And Wales can go home, certainly not in shame after making it through to the Round of 16, but in the knowledge they were well beaten by a very good team.
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