An emotional Denmark took an early lead but Belgium stormed home powered by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku to record a 2-1 win in Group B on Thursday.
Denmark, playing only days after star midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on field against Finland, took an early lead in Copenhagen from Yussuf Poulsen’s second minute strike after Jason Denayer’s turnover.
But top ranked Belgium hit back empathically in the second half, with Lukaku and De Bruyne combining to set up Thorgan Hazard to level on 54 minutes.
Eden Hazard was involved in the lead-up, along with Lukaku, as Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne powered home the 70th minute winner.
The result means Belgium have six points from two games and have booked their knockouts spot already, while the Danish are without a point from two games.
“You never doubt Kevin De Bruyne’s talent,” Belgium boss Roberto Martinez said about his star midfielder who missed their first game due to injury. “Obviously it’s a big ask to come on at half-time and be able to affect the game the way he did it.
“It’s not just about talent, it’s also about his know-how, and the way he played in the second half he didn’t look like a player that has been through surgery, that has been away from the football pitch. Again, it shows you the way he has looked after himself, the way he has been focused in training. But I don’t think anyone could doubt his talent.
“This was a very impressive way for a player who has been away for a long time to introduce himself and affect the game in that way.”
Elsewhere on Thursday, the Netherlands also booked their last 16 spot with a 2-0 home win over Austria, with Memphis Depay converting a penalty and Denzel Dumfries scoring again.
Ukraine stayed in the hunt with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over North Macedonia in Bucharest.
