Denmark, Italy through to quarterfinals

Still riding a wave of emotion, Denmark won again at the European Championship.

And they won a big one at a stadium that means a lot to them.

The Danes advanced to the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 by beating Wales 4-0 on Saturday in Amsterdam, getting two goals from Kasper Dolberg exactly two weeks after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during the team’s opening match. Eriksen had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator and spent several days in the hospital before returning home last week.

Both Eriksen and Dolberg played for Ajax, the team that plays its home matches at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Much of the crowd of 16,000 was cheering on the Danes.

“It feels like a home game,” Dolberg said. “This stadium, which is very special to me, it’s fantastic.”

Dolberg, who was given his first start of the tournament by Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, scored a goal in each half. Joakim Maehle scored the third in the 88th minute and Martin Braithwaite added the fourth in injury time.

It was the second match in a row that Denmark scored four times, after beating Russia 4-1 to qualify for the round of 16 after losing its first two matches. Denmark is the first nation to score four or more goals in consecutive matches in the history of the Euros.

“We needed the love and support and that’s what gave us wings,” Hjulmand said of the crowd in Amsterdam.

ITALY 2, AUSTRIA 1 >> After breezing through the group stage at Euro 2020, Italy was made to fight for its victory in a game that came to life in extra time.

It was Roberto Mancini’s substitutes who made the difference with the goals at Wembley Stadium in London.

An unmarked Federico Chiesa brought down Leonardo Spinazzola’s high cross with his head, controlled the bouncing ball with his right boot and then used his other foot to shoot low into the net.

Individual skill produced the breakthrough for Italy. The second was more about calmness in a goalmouth scramble. Matteo Pessina, who came on midway through the second half, sent the ball into the far corner of the net in the 115th minute.

The raw emotion erupted as teammates collapsed on Pessina, a late injury replacement in the squad, amid the celebrations.

Italy was also celebrating in extra time after setting a world record for minutes played without conceding a goal in international soccer. The previous record was also Italy’s and was set with goalkeeper Dino Zoff in the team. The Italians went 1,143 minutes between 1972 and 1974 without allowing a goal.

But Italy soon conceded for the first time in 1,168 minutes, from a set piece in the 114th minute when Sasa Kalajdzic headed the ball in from a corner.

The Austrian comeback ended there, however, and Italy held on for its 31st straight unbeaten match — another national team record.