Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle impressed as Denmark pulled off a stunning 4-1 win over Russia to qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Euro 2020.
Denmark secured a brilliant 4-1 win over Russia to finish second in Group B of the UEFA Euro 2020 on Monday night and seal a place in the knockout phase of the competition after they looked like they were done and dusted after two defeats in two.
It was an open game with both teams pushing for three points. Aleksandr Golovin had the first big chance for Russia while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg went close for Denmark before Mikkel Damsgaard put the Red and White in front in the 38th minute with a curling effort. At the hour mark, the Danes doubled their lead through Yussuf Poulsen who pounced on a poor backpass by Roman Zobnin.
Artem Dzyuba pulled one back for Russia from the penalty spot in the 70th minute but Denmark were in the mood and restored their two-goal cushion nine minutes later through Andreas Christensen’s stunning strike before Joakim Maehle rounded off the emphatic win with a well-taken finish.
The big win, coupled with Finland’s defeat to Belgium in the other Group B encounter, was enough to see Denmark through to the knockouts as they finished second on goal difference while Russia ended bottom of the group. Here are our player ratings from an exciting encounter at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Monday.
Russia
Matvey Safonov: 6/10
A surprise starter ahead of Anton Shunin, the inexperienced goalkeeper may have shipped in as many as four goals on the night but also made some fine saves – six in total to keep Russia in the hunt until the final ten minutes or so.
Georgi Dzikhiya: 6/10
The more disciplined and sound of the Russian centre-back trio, although that isn’t much to write home about. Still, showed good resolve to try and keep the Danes at bay but lacked support.
Igor Diveev: 5/10
Won a fair bit of aerial duels and tackles but, at the end of the day, struggled to cope with the livewire pairing of Martin Braithwaite and Mikkel Damsgaard, leaving the goalkeeper exposed.
Fedor Kudryashov: 5/10
Recalled into the starting XI, the 34-year-old veteran defender was another who failed to keep a lid on the Denmark attack. Booked within the first half hour and was a tad bit fortunate not to have received a second booking after the break.
Mario Fernandes: 5/10
Recovered from his injury in the last game and started at right wing-back. Provided a decent outlet going forward but couldn’t make many dangerous headways into the final third.
Magomed Ozdoyev: 5/10
Struggled to stop the Danish midfielders as he was constantly bettered by his counterparts. Poor on the occasions he did get the ball, as he finsihed with a paltry 59% pass success rate.
Roman Zobnin: 4/10
Poor. Like Ozdoyev, found it hard to stem the flow of the Danish midfield stars who were in control. Guilty of handing the opposition the second goal on a platter with a poor backpass.
Daler Kuzyayev: 5/10
Tried to get forward but wasn’t always allowed the time and space to do so, with Daniel Wass playing on the frontfoot. Did manage four dribbles but did not create any chance of note.
Aleksey Miranchuk: 5/10
The match-winner for Russia in their last game against Finland, Miranchuk wasn’t able to repeat his heroics against Denmark. Did create a half-chance but wasn’t able to stamp his authority on the proceedings.
Aleksandr Golovin: 6.5/10
Lively. Had the first chance of the game after he went on a mazy run but was denied by Kasper Schmeichel. Looked the likeliest player to make things happen for Russia.
Artem Dzyuba: 4/10
30 – Following his goal against Denmark, Artem Dzyuba equals the record of goals for the Russian national team set by Aleksandr Kerzhakov (30 goals). Captain. #EURO2020 #RUS #DEN pic.twitter.com/HhMqaSIabM
— OptaIvan (@OptaIvan) June 21, 2021
Another game where he was near-anonymous. May have scored the only goal of the game for Russia but the towering striker hardly caused any problems to the Denmark backline.
SUBSTITUTES
Aleksandr Sobolev: 5/10
On for Miranchuk soon after the second goal. Couldn’t make much of an impact.
Rifat Zhemaletdinov: 4/10
Replaced Ozdoyev in the 62nd minute. Not much influence.
Maksim Mukhin: 5/10
Sent on in place of Kuzyayev with a little over 20 minutes left. Couldn’t help Russia gain any foothold.
Vyacheslav Karavayev: 5/10
Replaced the struggling Kudryashov in the 68th minute. Didn’t fare all to better than the veteran.
Denmark
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
Stopped Golovin in the first period. Not a lot the Denmark vice-captain could have done to stop Dzyuba’s penalty. Should have been a bit more accurate with his kicking, though.
Andreas Christensen: 8/10
?? Defended well, stepped into midfield when needed and scored a vital goal. Andreas Christensen ?@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/VbtRMiDXK2
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 21, 2021
One of the standout players for Denmark on the night, as the Chelsea defender rose to the occasion brilliantly. Faultless in defence, keeping things tight throughout before he came up with a fantastic goal to seal it for his team.
Simon Kjaer: 6.5/10
The Denmark captain had the one nervy moment early on against Golovin but recovered well and ensured that Dzyuba did not get a sniff of the goal for the rest of the game.
Jannik Vestergaard: 6/10
Solid for the most part. But gave away the penalty from which Dzyuba scored in the second period.
Daniel Wass: 6.5/10
Plenty of energy and endeavour down the right-hand side which meant Kuzyayev wasn’t able to get forward. Created a couple of chances as well, although the end product needed to be better at times.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 8/10
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has created nine chances from open play at #EURO2020, at least three more than any other player.
Wow. ? pic.twitter.com/D1N1mLbWPt
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 21, 2021
Ran the game from the middle of the park for Denmark. Used the ball brilliantly, did his bit to snuff out attacks and create turnovers. Came close to scoring in the first period and then finished with two assists on the night.
Thomas Delaney: 7/10
The ideal foil for Hojbjerg in the middle of the park, the Borussia Dortmund ace was solid and assured in the centre, allowing those around him to excel in the attacking side of things. Never allowed the Russian midfield any chance.
Joakim Maehle: 8/10
Was a menace for the Russian defence with his relentless bursts forward down the left flank. Completed five dribbles – the most by any player on the night and added the icing on the cake with a well-hit strike for 4-1.
Martin Braithwaite: 7/10
Showed why he is such a valuable member of this Danish national team. Full of intent and energy, the Barcelona attacker was relentless in his pressing from the front, putting the Russian defenders under pressure. Linked up well, showed sharp movement, making himself a thorn in the side for the opposition.
Mikkel Damsgaard: 7.5/10
Another start, another exciting display from the young winger, who struck the ball sweetly to open the scoring on the night. That set the tone for Denmark’s positive outlook as he kept the Russian defence under the cosh with his energy at the top.
Yussuf Poulsen: 7/10
Like his attacking partners, the RB Leipzig forward never let the Russian backline breathe easy and was rewarded for his intent in the second half as he pounced on a mistake from Zobnin to score the second goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Kasper Dolberg: 6.5/10
Replaced Poulsen at the hour mark. Lively, continued putting Russia under pressure. But should have scored when the scoreline was still 2-0.
Jens Stryger Larsen: 6/10
Came on for Wass and provided a handy outlet, creating a couple of chances.
Christian Norgaard: 6/10
On for Damsgaard with less than 20 minutes left. Did his bit to keep Denmark on top.
Andreas Cornelius: N/A
Late substitute for Braithwaite.
Mathias Jensen: N/A
Late substitute for Delaney.
