DANES STILL FEEDING OFF EMOTION
DENMARK’S remarkable and poignant journey at Euro 2020 will now include a semi-final at Wembley after seeing off the tournament’s other surprise package Czech Republic in Baku.
Having earned the world’s sympathy and admiration for the way they dealt with the cardiac arrest of playmaker Christian Eriksen on the pitch during their opening game against Finland, the Danes are now on a roll. Yesterday’s win was their third in a row — scoring 10 goals in the process.
Thomas Delaney put them ahead after only five minutes when he headed in unmarked from a corner and centre forward Kasper Dolberg doubled their advantage shortly before half-time.
The Czechs were rewarded for their strong start to the second half when Patrik Schick nabbed his fifth goal of the competition, drawing him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot.
But they were unable to beat Kasper Schmeichel again and the Leicester City goalkeeper still has a chance of emulating his dad Peter — who was part of the Danish team which won Euro 1992 after being called in as late replacements for Yugoslavia.
Having played their three group games in Copenhagen and then beaten Wales in front of thousands of their own supporters in Amsterdam, the 2,500-mile trip to Azerbaijan provided a new set of challenges for Kasper Hjulmand’s side.
Not only were there far fewer fans present, but the game began in sweltering 90 degree temperatures.
Even so, the Scandinavians started strongly and when Jens Styger Larsen floated an outswinging corner, Borussia Dortmund’s Delaney had the freedom of the penalty area to nod in.
The Danes, ranked tenth in the world, threatened to sew up this quarter-final early. On his 21st birthday, Mikkel Damsgaard — who has provided the team’s creativity while Eriksen recovers from his ordeal — should have scored on the break but his finish lacked power and allowed Tomas Kalas to clear.
Delaney then allowed the ball to hit his knee when a sidefoot finish in front of goal would have put him on the scoresheet again. Damsgaard was denied by a fine save from Tomas Vaclik.
Schmeichel made amends for a lapse in concentration when he gave the ball away by spreading himself to deny Tomas Holes. And it looked plain sailing for the Danes when wing-back Joakim Maehle produced a wonderful centre with the outside of his right boot for Dolberg to tuck in from six yards.
The Czechs, who had finished third in England’s group before surprising Holland in the round of 16, made changes at the interval. Schmeichel had to make three saves once play restarted but was left helpless when Schick skilfully guided home a cross from West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal.
Denmark had already made history by becoming the first country to qualify from their group in the Euros after losing their opening two games.
The knowledge that they had come so close to losing one of their team-mates has bonded the players — many of whom have featured in the Premier League, including Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Chelsea’s Champions League winner Andreas Christensen.
That togetherness helped them survive a strong Czech effort in sapping conditions.
Hjalmand withdrew Damsgaard and Dolberg, hoping the extra pace of Yussuf Poulsen up front would stretch the Czechs on the counter.
But the Czechs didn’t give up without a fight and Danish captain Simon Kjaer — already hailed as hero of the tournament for clearing Eriksen’s airways before the medics arrived during the Finland game — had to make an important clearance when Jakub Jankto shot on goal.
West Ham’s Tomas Soucek was left anguished when his deflected shot flew just wide of the post with Schmeichel beaten.
Burnley’s Matej Vydra was sent on for the fatigued Schick and Soucek’s late header was cleared in a crowded Danish penalty box.
The Danes had opportunities when they broke, with Vlacik saving from Poulsen and Maehle. The final few minutes resembled two boxers who had punched themselves out.
The six minutes added on by referee Bjorn Kuipers added to the tension. By then, the Czechs sent on their skipper Vladimir Darida who had only been able to start on the bench because of a leg injury.
The last chances fell in injurytime to substitute Michael Krmencik, who awkwardly hooked the ball over, then Antonin Barak, who shot wide from 12 yards.