Wales 0-4 Denmark: 5 talking points as Danes march into the quarter-finals | UEFA Euro 2020

#3 Should Denmark’s second goal have stood?

Kasper Dolberg's second goal had a hint of controversy around it following a possible foul in the build-up

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.

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#4 Wales simply lacked the quality to make a comeback in this game

Aaron Ramsey failed to have an influence on tonight's game for Wales

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.

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#5 How far can Denmark go in Euro 2020?

Could Denmark be a viable dark horse winner for 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.