A 2-0 victory over reigning champions France wasn’t sufficient to see Denmark e-book their spot in subsequent summer season’s Nations League finals.
For all their possession and such a vibrant begin, France failed to interrupt the impasse and have been punished because the hosts labored their means into the sport, deservedly pulling forward after half an hour and doubling their lead shortly after.
Kasper Hjulmand’s facet put in knowledgeable show to regulate the sport after the break, coping with the waves of French stress and having fun with spells of possession themselves. Croatia being locked in a stalemate with Austria had Denmark prime of the group and going via for a lot of the night, however it wasn’t to be as they bounced again to maintain a maintain of prime spot.
France began at an electrical tempo and their desperation for an early aim confirmed, with Kylian Mbappe getting in behind Denmark’s backline frequently. For all their intent, although, Kasper Schmeichel confirmed his class and saved issues goalless.
Denmark seemed a risk from set-pieces because of Eriksen’s deliveries and, after surviving France’s early, possession-based flurry, introduced the sport to Didier Deschamps’ facet. Andreas Skov Olsen got here shut after 20 minutes, however his contact noticed the ball get caught beneath his ft in entrance of aim.
Crucially, the hosts made their stress depend, punishing France by taking the lead after 34 minutes. Eriksen’s diagonal ball launched Mikkel Damsgaard out large, who crossed low for Kasper Dolberg to poke in on the close to put up.
Proceedings rapidly went from dangerous to worse for France as Denmark doubled their lead 5 minutes later. Eriksen’s corners precipitated France one other downside within the field and Olsen fired a half-volley previous Alphonse Areola, sending the hosts into half-time with a deserved lead and placing them prime of Group 1 as issues stood.
Modifications on the interval introduced France again accountable for possession, and the break did assist them to ask extra questions of Denmark’s defence. Olivier Giroud purchased a free-kick in a harmful space after 51 minutes, however Antoine Griezmann’s effort was saved neatly by Schmeichel.
Denmark seemed stretched occasionally, however by no means seemed too panicked and have been nonetheless seeing greater than sufficient of the ball as the sport grew on. Schmeichel did bail them out after 67 minutes with a tremendous cease to disclaim Mbappe, following a chic go behind the defence from Griezmann.
France appeared to expire of steam within the sport’s closing phases, although, with the substitutes failing to supply any hope of a comeback. Denmark noticed issues out comfortably to safe second within the group, with Croatia rising victorious in Austria.
GK: Kasper Schmeichel (c) – 8/10 – Bailed Denmark out after a gradual begin with a list of essential stops. Down nicely to disclaim Griezmann early on within the second half.
RB: Rasmus Kristensen – 6/10 – Did not add a lot attacking thrust however saved issues tidy and, crucially, saved Mendy very quiet.
CB: Joachim Andersen – 7/10 – Grew into the sport because the stress mounted and occupied France’s ahead gamers nicely.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 7/10 – Key in bringing composure in possession to Denmark’s defence. Made the proper passing selections and was positionally disciplined.
LB: Joakim Maehle – 7/10 – Must have scored with the rebound from Olsen’s saved shot within the first half. A constructive affect from deep.
CM: Thomas Delaney – 7/10 – Combative and composed. His expertise confirmed all through the night.
CM: Christian Eriksen – 8/10 – Performs soccer along with his slippers on. His vary of go is a joke. Utterly dictated the sport in midfield.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6/10 – Let his midfield colleagues do the heavy lifting when it got here to passing, however an essential presence regardless.
RW: Andreas Skov Olsen – 8/10 – What a delight of a footballer Olsen seems to be to be. Sharp touches and good motion, completed off with an beautiful strike.
ST: Kasper Dolberg – 7/10 – Correct poacher’s aim to open the scoring. Extra of that, please.
LW: Mikkel Damsgaard – 6/10 – Appeared to dip out and in of the sport, but additionally had Pavard’s quantity when in possession.
SUB: Jesper Lindstrom (60′ for Damsgaard) – 6/10
SUB: Rasmus Hojlund (60′ for Dolberg) – 6/10
SUB: Simon Kjaer (72′ for Delaney) – N/A
SUB: Martin Braithwaite (72′ for Olsen) – N/A
SUB: Alexander Bah (90′ for Kristensen) – N/A
GK: Alphonse Areola – 6/10 – Made some stable stops, however was clearly troubled by Eriksen’s crossing talents. Not helped by his defenders.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – 5/10 – Misplaced his bearings when attempting to defend for Denmark’s opener. Ought to’ve handled the cross.
CB: William Saliba – 4/10 – For somebody so tall and imposing, Saliba ought to’ve taken the lead on the again. An underwhelming show.
CB: Benoit Badiashile – 5/10 – Additionally sub-par on a poor evening for France’s defence.
RWB: Benjamin Pavard – 6/10 – Went to sleep occasionally when monitoring runs from out large, however tidier after the preliminary error.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 5/10 – A mediocre show for a usually thrilling younger expertise. Wasn’t productive sufficient in possession.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 4/10 – Swallowed up by Denmark’s industrious midfield three. Hooked at half-time.
LWB: Ferland Mendy – 5/10 – Wasn’t concerned sufficient and made defending too straightforward for Denmark. Given the run round by Olsen.
AM: Antoine Griezmann (c) – 6/10 – He tried to impose himself and performed good passes when present in house, however merely did not see the ball sufficient to have the ability to actually put his stamp on issues.
ST: Olivier Giroud – 5/10 – A sufferer of the aimless, French possession. Marked out of the sport, too.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – 6/10 – Shiny in patches, however lacked service and – crucially – composure. Received to take his possibilities with extra high quality.
SUB: Jonathan Clauss (45′ for Saliba) – 6/10
SUB: Youssouf Fofana (45′ for Camavinga) – 6/10
SUB: Christopher Nkunku (65′ for Giroud) – N/A
SUB: Adrien Truffert (65′ for Mendy) – N/A
SUB: Randal Kolo-Muani (81′ for Griezmann) – N/A
