A Kasper Dolberg stay and late goals from Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite gave Denmark a comfortable 4-0 victory against Wales on Saturday night, as Kasper Hjulmand’s men made it to the last eight in Euro 2020.
Despite a promising start from Wales, Denmark was able to find its feet and dominate the negotiations thereafter. They eventually opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, when Dolberg took Mikkel Damsgaard’s farewell in his step before releasing a toxic curling in the lower corner.
The questions got worse just four minutes into the second half when Neco Williams’ clearing went horribly wrong and gave the ball to Dolberg who from six meters out reacted well to hit home.
A nightmare moment for Wales – but should the goal have stood?
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Denmark were content enough to sit back and absorb pressure before pushing forward at the break to make it three in 89 minutes. Substitute Mathias Jensen picked out Maehle beautifully before the Atalanta man had time to cut to the left and throw the ball in the upper corner.
There was plenty of time for more drama when Welsh replacement Harry Wilson saw a straight red for a cynical challenge on Maehle. The decision further opened things up in the later stages and Hjulmand’s men were able to add a fourth. Andreas Cornelius dampened the ball in Braithwaite’s way before Barcelona forward buried the ball in the lower corner.
The dominant victory means that Denmark advances to the quarter-finals at the expense of a defeated Wales side, who will be disappointed not to have recreated the hero fashions of 2016.
Now, let’s go into some ratings.
Ben Davies in action for Wales / Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Danny Ward (GK) – 5/10 – Looked solid on a couple of occasions but just could not do anything about any of the goals – gave no chance.
Connor Roberts (RB) – 6/10 – Showed decent energy on the right and cut out a few crosses before getting into the box before being forced off with injury in the first half. Chris Mepham (CB) – 6/10 – Covered his colleagues quite well, showed in his tracking of runners behind and marking in the area, sees the threat and makes ten interventions.Joe Rodon (CB) – 5/10 – Was alive to much of the danger in the box, recorded eight distances but seemed a bit of the pace otherwise and could not really get better over his resistance when he was forced to mark close.
Ben Davies (LB) – 5/10 – Was decent in a one on one situation, made four tackles but left big gaps in the back later in the game.
Very little joy for Aaron Ramsey / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images
Joe Morrell (CM) – 6/10 – Often gave an option to his colleagues and spread games from midfield very effectively. Put in a good defensive shift for the most part, managing six interventions.
Joe Allen (CM) – 5/10 – Persistent all the time, even if that toughness too often became carelessness and ruthlessness. Always looked to chase the game but never really got a grip on it.
Aaron Ramsey (AM) – 6/10 – Started well and found space to influence things but his threat was soon addressed by Denmark when Andreas Christensen went up to mark him.
A disappointing end to Euro 2020 for Gareth Bale and Wales / Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Gareth Bale (RW) – 6/10 – A real danger in the beginning, which seems to frighten the opposition’s back line with every touch. In addition to a couple of wonderful balls, he faded out when Denmark gained a foothold.
Kieffer Moore (ST) – 4/10 – Showed his strengths sporadically, but was properly provided with his opposite numbers and was generally absent.
Daniel James (LW) – 6/10 – Great movement and pace all the time but his electrical qualities became redundant as soon as Wales midfield was denied time to pick him out.
Neco Williams had one to forget after coming on / Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Neco Williams (RB) – 2/10 – Oh dear. Gave Denmark their 2-0 lead with a horror ending – really one to forget.
Harry Wilson (AM) – 2/10 – Another horror cameo. Lazy challenges late on it got him expelled.
Tyler Roberts (ST) – 6/10
David Brooks (LW) – 5/10
“And they have blown Wales away”
You can not blame Denmark’s performance today …
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Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 6/10 – Was worried with a couple of decent efforts in the first few minutes but was not worried after that.
Jens Stryger Larsen (RB) – 6/10 – Got fielded consistently and although he could not influence things from open play, his corner gave Wales real problems when he registered two important passes.
Simon Kjaer (CB) – 7/10 – A masterful performance at the back, constantly in the right place at the right time and ensured that Wales’ top three never really got snuff after their bright start.
Jannik Vestergaard (CB) – 7/10 – Looked much more comfortable when Denmark mixed in a hill four and started to get close to Moore.
Joakim Maehle (LB) – 8/10 – Stood firmly against the quality of Bale, but his best work came as he stepped forward. Saw a threat in the last third and played a big role in the opener with a brilliantly threaded ball to Damsgaard in the build-up, before he made it 3-0 with a fantastically taken strike.
Andreas Christensen’s introduction in midfield was the turning point in the match / Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Andreas Christensen (DM) – 8/10 – A massive part of Denmark’s dominance with its positioning and defensive nous. As soon as he went up to midfield, the game changed. Ramsey became invalid, Moore’s exit from long balls was no more, and Wales simply failed to play through midfield. Protected the rear four brilliantly and made three interceptions.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) – 7/10 – Generally in midfield, always pick up loose pieces and distribute the ball to teammates with space to keep things ticking.
Thomas Delaney (CM) – 7/10 – Did not really show his left foot, often closed quickly. Had a very solid game, but always introduced an element of calm with his good looks and calm in possession.
Some strike from Kasper Dolberg …
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Martin Braithwaite (RW) – 7/10 – Linked game with a decent effect when Denmark saw themselves breaking forward and eventually got a goal with a well-taken finish late.
Kasper Dolberg (ST) – 9/10 – A clear danger right from the start and proved it with a sensational strike to make it 1-0 and an awake finish to double their lead.
Mikkel Damsgaard (LW) – 8/10 – A very bright spark on Denmark’s side. Found pockets with space, had some exquisite details to get out of tight areas and drive up to do three key passes and got himself an assist for the opener.
Mathias Jensen played well after coming on / Koen van Weel – Pool / Getty Images
Christian Norgaard (CM) – 6/10
Mathias Jensen (CM) – 7/10 – Fantastic vision to help Maehle to Denmark’s third.
Andreas Cornelius (ST) – 7/10 – Great strength and power to see things. Assisted the fourth fine.
Joachim Andersen (CB) – 6/10
Nicolai Boilesen (RB) – 6/10
