Fireplace rained down from the sky over the Westfalenstadion, heavy rain fell, massive hailstones bounced off the sphere, thunder roared and the match was suspended for 25 minutes till the storm handed.
On a wild and turbulent night time within the footballing heartland of the Ruhr, Germany performed with fireplace and embraced the chaos. They have been wanting set for defeat by the hands of a high quality Denmark crew, however they weathered the storm and got here out the opposite facet.
It was an excellent, thrilling, brutal, unstable night time of soccer that would have gone both manner and, when it ended, Germany had secured their first knock-out win at a serious event since 2016.
These with outdated recollections will recall that they have been knocked out of their house World Cup at this very stadium by Italy in 2006, and amid the storm, there have been moments when it appeared like historical past was about to repeat itself at this house European Championship.
However Denmark had a objective disallowed for a marginal offside shortly after halftime and when the ball reached the opposite finish VAR dominated that Joachim Andersen, who had a objective disallowed moments earlier, had dealt with David Raum's cross.
Jamal Musiala scores Germany's second objective in 2-0 win over Denmark at Euro 2024
Kai Havertz nets the primary objective of the sport from the penalty spot after a controversial handball name
Joachim Andersen thought he had given his facet the lead however had his strike dominated out for handball – he gave away a penalty shortly afterwards
If this was an evening when the gods appeared indignant, it appeared they have been most indignant with Denmark. They’d began to outplay Germany in the identical manner that they had outplayed England in Frankfurt, however Germany have been grateful for an evening of good defending from Antonio Rudiger and Germany acquired the break.
And as soon as they acquired the break, they began to play with freedom and Jamal Musiala scored an excellent second objective they usually may have gained by a much bigger margin if Kasper Schmeichel had not made a collection of good saves.
Germany didn't have an awesome exhibiting however they nonetheless performed some nice soccer and their win will put to relaxation any doubts that arose after their disappointing draw with Switzerland.
They’ll now play the winner of the Spherical of 16 match between Spain and Georgia in Stuttgart subsequent week. Whether it is Spain, it will likely be essentially the most thrilling match of the event to this point. Whether it is Spain, Spain would be the favourites.
Germany thought that they had taken the lead after three minutes when Nico Schlotterbeck, approaching for the suspended Jonathan Tah, powered house an outstanding header from Toni Kroos' nook.
The Westfalenstadion erupted in wild celebrations however referee Michael Oliver noticed Joshua Kimmich blocking a defender's masking run and dominated the trouble out. Kimmich tried to make amends with a surprising piledriver from 30 yards that Schmeichel couldn't cease.
Germany went forward and scored. Antonio Rudiger threaded an outstanding cross into the trail of Kai Havertz, who had created house within the field. Havertz's volley was on course, however the shot was not clear and Schmeichel dived to push the shot out.
Havertz's fortunes in recent times have been such that opinion has been divided at each membership and nation, and lots of have been in favour of fielding Nicolas Fulkrug in his place final night time, particularly as Fulkrug performs membership soccer right here for Borussia Dortmund.
It took Rasmus Hojlund 18 minutes to get his first contact. Two minutes later Denmark lastly created their first risk. Joachim Andersen slid an outstanding cross over the German defence from 70 yards into the trail of Christian Eriksen and Eriksen knocked it down superbly for what can be the most effective second of the match to this point.
Rasmus Hojlund didn't get his first contact till the 18th minute, his facet acquired off to a sluggish begin
Christian Eriksen regretted lacking the prospect to offer his crew the lead within the first half
Excellent contact introduced the ball into his path and he tried to twist his shot round Manuel Neuer however Rudiger collected properly and put the trouble to security with one foot ahead. Eriksen cursed the missed alternative.
After which, within the thirty fifth minute, the rain arrived. The sky had been overcast and cloudy for some time now. Quickly, lightning started to flash within the sky and thunder rumbled.
Lightning was hanging very shut and Mr. Oliver determined to take the gamers out of the sphere. This was the one choice preserving in thoughts the protection of the gamers. The rain was very heavy. Giant hailstones have been additionally falling from the sphere.
Germany had their greatest probability of the match as far as play resumed. Havertz took an outstanding cross from Germany's left and completed it off from all of ten yards. He ought to have scored, however he despatched it too near Schmeichel, who made a response save.
Nonetheless, Denmark have been again within the recreation, and when Schlotterbeck failed to carry on to the ball in his field after which fumbled, Højlund collected the ball from him and shot into the side-netting.
A couple of minutes later, Denmark threatened once more. They moved ahead shortly and Eriksen performed a intelligent first-time cross into the trail of Thomas Delaney. Rudiger intercepted it however Delaney slid the ball to Hojlund. Hojlund tried to dink it over Neuer however Neuer made a save.
Earlier than the second half started, Mr. Oliver known as collectively Ilkay Gundogan and Schmeichel, the 2 captains, and pointed to the sky once more. It appeared as if one other lightning storm was being warned in direction of the stadium.
Play resumed. Germany quickly wished it hadn't. Eriksen hit the free kick deep to the again put up, it was headed again after which swung into the field. There was a scramble and Joachim Andersen blasted it into the online. VAR official Stuart Attwell checked it and it was dominated offside. Replays confirmed it was a followers' favorite: a participant was offside by the size of his toenail.
It was a merciless second for Denmark. However their fortunes instantly took one other flip for the more severe when Germany have been awarded a penalty for Andersen's handball.
Havertz was standing on the penalty. Given a number of the hatred in direction of him, the strain should have been an excessive amount of. He ran slowly and stopped his run to attempt to get Schmeichel to commit. Schmeichel didn't commit. However Havertz hit his penalty completely. Although Schmeichel had guessed appropriately, the ball went off his left hand and in off the put up.
Havertz tried to attain once more, however he missed with an outstanding contact and a intelligent flick. Leroy Sane was working alongside him, however fell as Havertz ready to cross to him. Havertz headed the ball over the diving Schmeichel, however the ball went extensive.
Halfway by way of the half, Germany put the sport out of attain after Hojlund missed an opportunity from shut vary to Neuer. Schlotterbeck performed an outstanding cross over the Danish defence, Musiala outran Andersen and curled his shot round Schmeichel and into the nook of the online.
It had rained as soon as, now beer was flying within the air.
