Making your big international tournament debut must be a scary perspective at the best of times, but the task Mikkel Damsgaard faced on Thursday night was on a whole new level.
The young Sampdoria striker was drawn into Denmark’s starting XI against Belgium as part of a complete change after Christian Eriksen’s terrifying heartbreak excluded him from the tournament.
The pressure on Damsgaard’s shoulders when he lined up in the tunnel must have been really inconceivable. Not only did he have the weight of an entire nation to deal with, there was the added factor that he was now one of the men his country would turn to in the absence of their talisman.
To say that he did well under the circumstances would be a huge understatement.
The 20-year-old is highlighted 90 minutes before the start of Euro 2020 as one of the youngsters to keep an eye on in this summer’s tournament as part of the Our21 series, and his performance against Roberto Martinez’s side confirmed every glowing statement we’ve ever had. done about him.
From the first minute, Denmark attacked Belgium’s back line and gave them no time to settle on the ball – a ploy that ultimately led to the game’s initial goal with just over 90 seconds off the clock – and Damsgaard was a key figure in their pressure. .
Mikkel Damsgaard was not afraid to get on the ball and make things happen / Jonathan Nackstrand – Pool / Getty Images
Far from being overwhelmed by the responsibilities he assumed, he looked forward to enjoying the atmosphere created by the audience and those like Jan Vertonghen and Jason Denayer had to look like a bunch of 50-year-old men playing five-a-side when that annoying man decides to bring his 17-year-old son.
But do not be fooled that Damsgaard’s display was only 90 minutes when he ran around like a headless chicken and tried to win back the ball. The 20-year-old was the key to his side’s progressive play and had a hand in the majority of their forward moves.
The highlight of his trip came during the first half when he picked up the ball to the right of Denmark. The Belgian back line was well set when he appeared towards the penalty area, although the Sampdoria man produced two strikes that suddenly gave him a goal opportunity before his curling left-legged effort edged just half a yard wide by Thibaut Courtois’ long post.
Damsgaard had a moment he no doubt wants to forget after he was booked to dive in the area, but we will forgive him who got the opportunity and his obvious desperation to help his team to a positive result.
Mikkel Damsgaard’s moments to forget / Jonathan Nackstrand – Pool / Getty Images
The loss of Eriksen was of course a massive blow for Denmark, but in Damsgaard they seem to have a player with the ability to produce the kind of brilliant moment on which the Inter man has built a career.
Denmark’s Euro 2020 campaign looks set to burn out if they can not win their last group game and scrape their way to the knockout rounds, even if the future of Danish football looks to be in safe hands with Damsgaard on the side.
