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Germany2 - 0Denmark

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 June 2024, 22:07
Germany sealed their spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 courtesy of a 2-0 success over Denmark at the Signal Iduna Park in Saturday's last-16 battle.

Neither team managed to breach the other's net in the first half, which was halted for around 25 minutes due to severe weather, as hail, thunder and lightning descended on Dortmund.

However, a controversially-awarded Kai Havertz penalty and slick Jamal Musiala strike ensured that Julian Nagelsmann's men would be present in the last eight, where Spain or Georgia will await.

Here, Sports Mole provides player ratings from Germany's two-goal triumph.

Germany player ratings vs. Denmark: Centre-back takes man of the match

GOALKEEPER

Manuel Neuer - 7/10

Was a mere passenger in the first half before bravely diving at the feet of Rasmus Hojlund and saving what appeared to be a certain goal. Not much to do in the second either but reliable when called upon.

DEFENCE

Joshua Kimmich - 6/10

Always available on the right-hand side for the Germans and was accurate with his passing, albeit without doing anything truly of note. Solid nonetheless.

Nico Schlotterbeck - 9/10

Stepped in for the banned Jonathan Tah and thought he had struck early with a terrific leap and header, only to see it disallowed. Got lucky late in the half when he lost possession inside his own box after a shocking attempt at controlling the ball. Made up for it with a wonderful ball over the top for Musiala. Our man of the match.

Antonio Rudiger - 9/10

UEFA's man of the match, and it was easy to see why. A passing masterclass and put in some vital blocks and challenges in the rare periods that his side were under the cosh. A penny for Chelsea's thoughts.

David Raum - 7/10

Selected over group-stage regular Maximilian Mittelstadt and provided a delicious first-half cross for Havertz, which should have ended with an assist, although he technically got one for the Andersen handball. Has likely done enough to start the quarter-final.

MIDFIELD

Robert Andrich - 6/10

A quintessentially aggressive performance in midfield and was effective in the air, but gave away some cheap fouls. Hooked just after the hour.

Toni Kroos - 7/10

An exquisite cross for Schlotterbeck's early disallowed goal, and Denmark just could not deal with his set-pieces in the opening stages. Faded a bit in the second, but we can look forward to at least one more classy engine room display from the veteran.

ATTACK

Leroy Sane - 5/10

Took on the Florian Wirtz role and should have made more of a first-half attack, where he was caught in different minds before Hojbjerg tackled him. Some nice dribbles but not a single shot - a demotion is likely.

Ilkay Gundogan - 5/10

A couple of nice passes here and there, but was mostly nullified by the Danish defence. Came off just after the hour

Jamal Musiala - 8/10

Was rather quiet in the first half but beat the Denmark high line expertly before calmly slotting in the hosts' second. Now level with Georges Mikautadze on a tournament-high three goals ahead of a potential quarter-final clash between the two Golden Boot contenders.

Kai Havertz - 7/10

Did not justify his inclusion over Niclas Fullkrug when he sent a point-blank header straight at Schmeichel following the weather-enforced delay, but his penalty was perfectly-placed. Missed another golden chance to double his tally afterwards, though.

SUBSTITUTES

Emre Can - 7/10

Helped Germany see out the game with a 100% pass accuracy in the final half-hour. Composed.

Niclas Fullkrug - 5/10

Provided a physical presence in the final third during the closing stages but only had 14 touches of the ball. Might he have done better with one or two of Havertz's chances, though?

Florian Wirtz - 7/10

Thought he had added some gloss to the scoreline before becoming the third player denied a goal on the night. Made quite the impact off the bench either way with some nifty footwork and created two late chances.

Benjamin Henrichs - 6/10

Had a late shot off target as he replaced Raum for the last 10 minutes.

Waldemar Anton - N/A

Came on for the final few moments to help see out Germany's win at his future home ahead of a summer move to Borussia Dortmund.

Denmark player ratings vs. Germany: Night to forget for Rasmus Hojlund

GOALKEEPER

Kasper Schmeichel - 7/10

Came out for Schlotterbeck's disallowed goal and got nowhere near it - highly fortunate. Made up for it straight away with a strong punch from Kimmich's drive and was subsequently solid; dived the right way for Havertz's penalty.

DEFENCE

Andreas Christensen - 6/10

Did little wrong on the night and was dominant off the ground, but he was part of the Denmark high line that got caught out by Musiala for Germany's second goal. Replaced after 81 minutes.

Joachim Andersen - 5/10

Denied his first senior goal for his country due to offside, then went from potential hero to definite zero as he gave away the penalty for handball. Being left in Musiala's wake and picking up a yellow card capped off a miserable evening.

Jannik Vestergaard - 7/10

Brilliant tackle to stop Musiala in his tracks in the first half and was Denmark's best centre-half on the night, often providing a calming influence when needed, but not to any real effect.

MIDFIELD

Joakim Maehle - 5/10

A couple of dangerous moments on the left but nothing that really gave the German backline anything to think about. Booked.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 6/10

No repeat of his man-of-the-match display against England, although he was the beating heart of the Denmark team and played the box-to-box role semi-effectively.

Thomas Delaney - 5/10

Picked over Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen to replace the suspended Morten Hjulmand and played a big role in Hojlund's chance right at the end of the first half, but was otherwise ineffective.

Alexander Bah - 5/10

Won just two of his seven duels out on the right-hand side and had just 31 touches in total. Not his finest. Taken off in the final 10.

ATTACK

Andreas Skov Olsen - 5/10

A wild card selection in attack over former regular Jonas Wind and was fortunate to win a foul for Schlotterbeck's early disallowed goal. Saw one promising run quickly stopped by Schlotterbeck before making way in the 69th minute.

Christian Eriksen - 6/10

His recent sickness bug appeared to affect him early on when some passes went astray, but he was soon at the heart of Denmark's first-half improvement. Faded after the break, alongside the rest of his teammates.

Rasmus Hojlund - 4/10

Should have made more of the gift that Schlotterbeck gave him at the end of the first half but snatched at his finish. Same story in the second 45 with the Danes' only real chance after the break, but made a bit of a nuisance of himself.

SUBSTITUTES

Christian Norgaard - 5/10

Came on for Delaney for the final 20 minutes and did little wrong with the ball at his feet, but he could not inspire a Danish turnaround.

Yussuf Poulsen - 5/10

Chucked on to provide an intimidating presence up top but was marshalled out of the game and did not manage a single attempt.

Jonas Wind - 5/10

See above. Saw out the final 10 up top after being dropped from the starting lineup but did nothing of note.

Jacob Bruun Larsen - 4/10

Touched the ball seven times, lost possession four times in his disappointing cameo right at the end.

Victor Kristiansen - 6/10

Contributed to the defensive effort late on and made a couple of strong tackles.

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