The defeat against Finland was understandable. After the tragic incident of Christian Eriksen, it was never possible for Denmark to focus, still, they came out to play and showed that despite the tragedy they are strong and passionate enough to carry on the show. Belgium defeated them, still, there was hope as a victory against Russia would help them to progress and they did earn full points – right now, they dashed the dreams of Wales and advanced to the next round.
The match at the Johan Cruyff Arena started off with a nice touch from Wales, Gareth Bale presented Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer with a framed Wales shirt that had “Eriksen 10” printed on the back – that is why we all love football. The spirit is always positive and stands ahead of the competitive nature.
Denmark started positively – Thomas Delaney has an attempted cross into the Wales penalty area blocked. Wales launch their first attack of note but Dan James is unable to prevent a pass from Bale from going out of play for a Danish throw-in.
Kasper Dolberg turned and shot from distance after riding a challenge from Joe Rodon a few yards outside the Wales penalty area – it was high and wide.
Bale beat Maehle and Vestergaard down the right touchline and sends a cross deep into the Denmark penalty area. It was cleared.
Bale sent a shot drifting wide of the far upright after Dan James had made room for him to shoot with a smart decoy run. It was a left-footed effort from Bale after cutting inside from the right but he didn’t get enough curl on it.
Bale cantered down the right and stabbed the ball across the edge of the Denmark penalty area with the outside of his left foot. Aaron Ramsey’s shot took a deflection into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.
It seemed that the momentum was with Wales but it did not take long for Denmark to change the complexion of the game.
The match was two minutes short of thirty minutes when Kasper Dolberg struck gold.
It was a terrific goal. After excellent work down the left between Damsgaard and Maehle, the ball came Dolberg’s way in the centre. From about 25 yards out, he curled a low shot around two Welsh defenders and into the bottom right-hand corner. Danny Ward had no chance of getting anywhere near that.
There was a VAR check for offside in the build-up to that goal but it stands. German official Bastien Dankert could find no reason to rule it out.
That strike by Dolberg, surprisingly, jolted Wales.
They were all over the place at the moment and have been since going behind. Ward flaps at a Delaney cross under pressure from Vestergaard and are lucky to win a free kick.
After the break, Dolberg was on the score sheet again!
A Dolberg foul on Kieffer Moore went unpunished in the build-up and Martin Braithwaite cantered up the right-wing. He squared the ball into the penalty area and Neco Williams hit a woeful clearance straight to the feet of Kasper Dolberg, who slotted home.
The Welsh players complain about the earlier foul on Moore but the goal stood – Wales lost their way.
Denmark dominated since the second strike and in the 90th-minute Maehle smashed the ball into the roof of the net from about eight yards after cutting inside from the right.
With the ball at his feet, he cut inside from the right and shaped to shoot, sitting Joe Rodon on his backside. He cut inside again to create an angle and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
In the stoppage time, Martin Braithwaite had a goal ruled out for offside but there’s a VAR check. He fired into the bottom left-hand corner and wheeled away in celebration but the flag went up immediately.
A lengthy check reveals that Chris Mepham was playing Braithwaite onside as he received a cushioned pass before spanking a low diagonal effort into the bottom corner.
The goal stayed.
Denmark smashed Wales and stormed into the quarterfinals.
The Danish players celebrated in front of their ecstatic fans.
After the storm comes the sunshine.
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 26/06/2021 Denmark thrash Wales
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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