Belgium came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory against Denmark on Thursday night to maintain their 100% start at Euro 2020.
The Danes ran out of the traps and were ahead in just two minutes. Red Devils defender Jason Denayer was obliged to allow the possession just a few meters outside his own box and after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg played the ball through to Yussuf Poulsen, it struck forward.
Denmark saw good value for their lead as they went towards the interval, although the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne at half time triggered a change in procedure. The Manchester City man was involved in the Belgian equalizer when he cut the ball back to let Thorgan Hazard shoot home.
The competition was hit on the head for 20 minutes to play when Eden Hazard – another of the Red Devils’ half-decent replacements – picked up De Bruyne who hammered the ball with his left foot past Kasper Schmeichel.
Denmark pressed for an equalizer but the closest they came was Martin Braithwaite’s header that cut the top of the crossbar when Roberto Martinez’s men took all three points.
These are the highlights of the match out of the way, now to the players in Denmark and Belgium …
Joakim Maehle started on the left for Denmark / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 5/10 – Given almost nothing to do during the first half other than knocking off individual corners. Little could he do about Hazard’s goal as Belgium played their way through the back line, although he will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post for the second time.
Andreas Christensen (RB) – 5/10 – Filled in the right back as part of the change and did well considering the quality of the opposition. Eventually found out when Belgium introduced its superstars.
Simon Kjaer (CB) – 7/10 – Given the enviable task of handling Romelu Lukaku but did it fantastically for most of the game. The Inter man finally showed his class but Kjær fought a good fight.
Jannik Vestergaard (CB) – 5/10 – The Southampton man was drawn into the starting XI for his first start at Euro 2020 and it took him some time to get up to speed before he was withdrawn late.
Joakim Mæhle (LB) – 7/10 – Did a good job of bending Dries Mertens and forced the Napoli man away from goal when he had the ball at his feet.
Hojbjerg started again in midfield / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Daniel Wass (CM) – 5/10 – The task of taking the majority of his pages’ sets and did a bit of it. Started in the second half after failing to really impact the game.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) – 7/10 – Beautifully weighed through ball to get an assist during the first minutes. Dropped into the back line when Belgium had the ball and helped with some important headers.
Thomas Delaney (CM) – 6/10 – Squirted the ball very effectively and was regularly encouraged to shoot from range by the enthusiastic home crowd.
Yussuf Poulsen opened the scoring / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Yussuf Poulsen (RW) – 6/10 – Clinical closing to open the score with just under two minutes on the clock. Does not look as lively as some of the other Danish strikers after the goal and was dropped during the second half.
Mikkel Damsgaard (ST) – 7/10 – Produced a brilliant piece of play as he danced away from Belgium’s back line with a few steps to put the ball half a yard wide from the far post.
Martin Braithwaite (LW) – 6/10 – Be busy on the left side of Belgium and helped give Jan Vertonghen a nightmare night by refusing to give him time to settle on the ball.
Jens Stryger Larsen wrestles with Thibaut Courtois / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Christian Norgaard (CM) – 6/10
Jens Stryger Larsen (RB) – 5/10
Andreas Cornelius (ST) – 6/10
Mathias Jensen (CM) – 6/10
Andreas Skov Olsen (CM) – N / A
Jan Vertonghen Challenges in the Air / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois (GK) – 6/10 – Very little he could do with the Danish opener. It looked like he would have to get off in the second half after he bravely left his line to deal with a cross but fought on.
Toby Alderweireld (CB) – 5/10 – Saw too slowly and was too often caught by Yussuf Poulsen. Need to live up to if Belgium is to get into the later rounds.
Jason Denayer (CB) – 5/10 – Shocking game to give Denmark a great chance to open the score that they never looked like missed. Went well to compose himself after the early mistake but very happy to be scared by his teammates.
Jan Vertonghen (CB) – 4/10 – If Alderweireld looked slow, we do not even know what to say about his former Tottenham colleague. Hit the ball again and again and saw only one debt throughout the game.
Tielemans took his place in midfield / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Thomas Meunier (RWB) – 6/10 – Had it that Joakim Mæhle hit down in Denmark left but the quality of his last ball was poor.
Leander Dendoncker (CM) – 5/10 – Looked too awkward and passive in the middle of the pitch and withdrew when Belgium were looking for a winning goal.
Youri Tielemans (CM) – 6/10 – Always looking to play on the half swing and open up the game but his touch was off and he was just shut down right away.
Thorgan Hazard (LWB) – 6/10 – Clearly marked as a weakness on the Belgian side and Denmark took advantage of their lack of defensive noise on several occasions. Made up for it going forward and grabbed his side’s equalizer early in the second half.
Carrasco holds out Christensen / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Dries Mertens (RW) – 5/10 – Tried to help the team defensively but was eliminated and admitted a number of fouls in his own half. Replaced at half time and may be lucky to start the next match.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 7/10 – Spent the majority of the first half and tried to chase lost causes, as his teammates just goallessly fired balls at him, expecting him to deal with them. Looked much better in the second half and was the key to Belgium’s second.
Yannick Carrasco (LW) – 5/10 – When Belgium looked so toothless for the first 45 minutes, they relied on solid pieces – his was awful.
Kevin De Bruyne was superb in the second half / Jonathan Nackstrand – Pool / Getty Images
Kevin De Bruyne (CM) – 9/10 – Made an impact within ten minutes of being on the pitch when he took an assist for the Belgian equalizer before putting his side forward.
Axel Witsel (CM) – 6/10
Eden Hazard (LW) – 7/10
Thomas Vermaelen (CB) – N / A
