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Denmark marched into the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 in impressive fashion this evening, thrashing Wales 0-4 in Amsterdam. The result was only what Denmark deserved, as they largely outclassed Wales in what was expected to be a close game.
Wales actually started off brighter, with Gareth Bale looking menacing on the right side of the pitch and opening up the Denmark defence on a couple of occasions. However, a smart tactical switch after about 15 minutes completely nullified the influence of the Tottenham loanee, and from there, the match was all Denmark.
The Danes opened the scoring through a beautiful Kasper Dolberg finish on 27 minutes. And despite Wales having half-time to regroup, a second goal from Dolberg – albeit a controversial one – quickly doubled Denmark’s lead on 48 minutes.
Robert Page’s side worked hard to attempt to get themselves back into the game, but simply couldn’t find a way through. And their exit from the tournament was thoroughly confirmed when Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite scored Denmark’s third and fourth goals on either side of a harsh red card for Harry Wilson.
Here are five talking points from Denmark’s 0-4 win over Wales.
#1 Wales’ bright start was undone by a tactical switch from Denmark
It’d probably be surprising to someone who didn’t watch this match to learn that Wales actually started off the much brighter side.
Early on, at least, Denmark didn’t seem to have much of an answer for Gareth Bale’s attacking raids down the right-hand side. He opened up the Danish defence on more than one occasion, and while Wales didn’t score, they looked the much more likely side to do so.
However, with around fifteen minutes gone, Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand made a brilliant tactical switch that changed the game entirely. He pulled Andreas Christensen out of Denmark’s three-man defence, set him to practically man-mark Aaron Ramsey, and dropped wing-backs Jens Stryger Larsen and Joakim Maehle slightly deeper to form a four-man defence.
The change was immediate. With Ramsey now out of the game, a combination of Maehle and defensive midfielders Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg began to prevent Bale’s raids down the right. And in turn, Wales were reduced to pumping long balls to Kieffer Moore that failed to make an impact.
From there, the game was essentially won by Denmark.
#2 Mikkel Damsgaard did a great job of replacing Christian Eriksen
Many observers felt that Denmark’s chances of having an impressive Euro 2020 vanished when creative hub Christian Eriksen suffered his shocking cardiac arrest in his side’s opening game with Finland two weeks ago.
However, after struggling to make a mark against Belgium, Sampdoria’s Mikkel Damsgaard has stepped into Eriksen’s role and is doing a fantastic job.
Today’s game was another example of that. Kasper Dolberg’s finish for the opening goal was wonderful, but it was made by Damsgaard’s run and pass.
The 20-year old was menacing throughout the game until he was withdrawn – likely with the quarter-final in mind – on 60 minutes. But he still managed to end the game with an impressive 83% pass success rate, and made three key passes – more than any other player on the pitch.
Damsgaard obviously lacks the top-level experience of Eriksen, but on this form, he’s definitely a worthy replacement for the Inter Milan man. And if he can continue to play this way in the quarter-finals, then a big-money move is likely for him in the summer.
#3 Should Denmark’s second goal have stood?
Denmark’s second goal was surrounded by controversy, even if it was largely set up by an appalling defensive mistake from Neco Williams.
Essentially, the Danes should never have gotten into an attacking position in the first place. Simon Kjaer clearly fouled Kieffer Moore deep inside the Danish half, but somehow referee Daniel Siebert allowed play to continue.
A long pass then appeared to go out of play – although VAR did check this and confirmed it hadn’t – before the ball found its way to Williams, who sliced it into the path of Kasper Dolberg. And the Danish forward made no mistake, sweeping the ball into the net.
So should the goal have stood? It’s debatable. VAR only appeared to check whether the ball had gone out of play or not – a questionable call, but probably a fair one. However, why the system didn’t notice Kjaer’s clear foul on Moore is anyone’s guess. Surely that’s the kind of mistake that VAR should be looking to iron out?
Denmark obviously deserved their win in the end, but Wales will definitely have some complaints about this goal.
#4 Wales simply lacked the quality to make a comeback in this game
Five years ago at Euro 2016, Wales went a goal behind to Belgium in their quarter-final meeting. It would’ve been easy for Chris Coleman’s side to fold – after all, nobody expected them to win. They didn’t, though, and pulled out a stirring comeback, eventually winning 1-3 in the tournament’s biggest upset.
Wales fans were hoping for more of the same tonight, but it simply wasn’t to be. And if we’re being frank, Robert Page’s side basically lacked the quality needed to make a similar comeback.
Star men Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale are both five years older than they were in France, and once Denmark switched their tactics in the first half, neither man was able to make an impact.
Long balls to striker Kieffer Moore were thoroughly ineffective, and midfielders Joe Allen and Joe Morrell looked overmatched up against Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Thomas Delaney and Mikkel Damsgaard. But most importantly, Wales’ defence didn’t look nearly as strong as it did in 2016, with Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham looking highly unconvincing.
It might be hard for Welsh fans to take, but it’s likely that their golden period might be coming to an end. And once Ramsey and Bale are gone, it may well be a while before we see them in another major tournament.
#5 How far can Denmark go in Euro 2020?
Wales undoubtedly put a poor showing in tonight, but it’s also fair to say that Denmark were fantastic. In fact, it’d be hard to single out any one player for praise given how good they were collectively.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side have become every fan’s second team in this tournament thanks to the tragic incident that befell their best player Christian Eriksen in their opening game against Finland. But without Eriksen – especially after they lost their first two matches – the Danes weren’t expected to make any noise at Euro 2020.
Instead, they now find themselves in the quarter-finals, where they’ll face the winners of the upcoming game between Croatia and Spain.
Given that neither of those sides have looked convincing thus far, the Danes will surely fancy their chances of making the semi-finals. And from there? Well, anything is possible.
So could Denmark really win Euro 2020, upsetting the odds as they did back at Euro 1992? Stranger things have happened in football – and if they can pull it off, it’d be a fitting tribute to Eriksen, as well as one of the greatest stories in football history.
