Jamal Musiala strikes again as Germany seal quarter-final spot

Germany 2-0 Denmark
Goals: 1-0 Havertz 53' (pen.), 2-0 Musiala 68' (assist: Schlotterbeck)

Germany made a bold start as they sought to gain an early stranglehold on the last 16 clash and rekindle the buzz around the country from their opening two EURO 2024 wins. They were almost rewarded immediately as Nico Schlotterbeck headed into the net from a corner in the opening minutes, only for the strike to be disallowed for a block by Joshua Kimmich. Kai Havertz forced Kasper Schmeichel into a strong save before the Danes grew into the encounter and a Christian Eriksen effort was blocked by Antonio Rüdiger. The drama on the pitch was then overshadowed by that in the sky as a powerful thunderstorm led to a 25-minute break of play in the middle of the first-half. Germany continued to dominate after the restart with Havertz and Schlotterbeck going close with headed chances in quick succession. Manuel Neuer was then called on to race out and deny Højlund in a huge chance for a shock Danish lead just before the break.  

A pair of VAR checks had a decisive impact on the game in an eventful start to the second period. Joachim Andersen slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer and turned around to celebrate, only for a narrow offside to be detected in the build-up to his goal. Andersen's repeated misfortune led to more German glee five minutes later as a David Raum cross met his hand and resulted in the award of a penalty. Kai Havertz stepped up to convert the spot kick coolly past Kasper Schmeichel and delight the Dortmund crowd. Havertz had a glorious chance for a second goal shortly afterwards, but he chipped the ball past Schmeichel and wide on a quick attack. While Denmark pressed for a way back into the game, Schlotterbeck spotted the chance to spring their defence open with a delightful long pass that Musiala chased to meet and dispatch past Schmeichel with a superb sweeping finish. Germany wanted more goals, and Florian Wirtz had a stoppage-time strike disallowed, although the hosts were effectively assured by then of their spot in the quarter-finals, where they will now face the winners of the last 16 clash featuring Spain vs. Georgia in Stuttgart on Friday 5 July.