Czech Republic 1-2 Denmark: The Danes Keep Marching On

The Czech Republic played Denmark in the quarter-finals of the Euros in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Both former champions managed to reach the quarter-finals in unlikely fashions. Denmark only won one game in the group stage and then easily overcame Wales in the last 16 while the Czech Republic knocked out the Netherlands in the last round.

The game had a fast start with Denmark taking the lead in the 5^th minute through a Thomas Delaney free header after a great corner by Stryger Larsen.

Delaney could have had a second in the 16^th minute when he got at the end of another Larsen corner, but this time did not have good contact.

Denmark seized their opportunity to double the lead in the 42^nd minute. Joakim Mæhle, who has been having an incredible tournament, crossed the ball with his outside foot for Kasper Dolberg to score his third goal in two games.

The first half ended with the Czech Republic failing to threaten the Danish defence.

The second half had a fast start for the Czech Republic with their main goal scorer bringing the deficit back to one in the 49^th minute. Vladimír Coufal crossed the ball towards Patrik Schick, who volleyed the ball past the Kasper Schmeichel.

There were a few worries from the Danish camp but past the hour mark, substitute Yussuf Poulsen’s shot was blocked by the West Ham player, Tomáš Souček, to deny Denmark their two-goal cushion.

Mæhle should have made it 3-1 in the 81^st minute when Poulsen’s pass went through the Czech defence but Mæhle was coming at an angle which allowed the Czech goalkeeper to save the shot.

The game ended 2-1 to Denmark after getting both of their goals in the first half while the Czech Republic scored early in the second half but could not capitalise on their momentum with some players getting cramps and pulling muscles.

Source of Image: UEFA EURO 2020 via Twitter