Denmark secured an unlikely qualification to the knockout stages of Euro 2020 with a heroic 4-1 win over Russia on Monday night.
The Danes were hit hard by Christian Eriksen’s collapse during their opening game defeat to Finland, but did him proud with the triumph against Russia.
Belgium beat Finland in the other game on Monday, confirming that they topped Group B with three wins out of three.
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It took 38 minutes for the first goal from either match.
Mikkel Damsgaard eventually broke the deadlock in wondrous fashion, firing home a sensational effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The 20-year-old celebrated passionately as a seismic roar of joy erupted around the Parken Stadium.
Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne came close for Belgium, but went in 0-0 at half-time against Finland.
The Danes doubled their lead just before the hour mark.
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Russia’s Roman Zobnin woefully attempted a long pass back to his goalkeeper, but saw it fall directly into the path of Yussuf Poulsen and put him through for an open goal.
The forward kept his composure and tapped home to put the hosts firmly in control.
Over in Saint Petersburg, Romelu Lukaku thought he’d given Belgium the lead against Finland – a goal that would have put Denmark up to second.
The news filtered through to Copenhagen with Danish fans celebrating in the stands.
However, a VAR check disallowed this goal for offside and then, just ten seconds afterwards, Denmark conceded a penalty as Jannik Vestergaard hauled down Aleksandr Sobolev.
Artem Dzyuba converted from the sport to bring the game back to 2-1.
Five minutes later, Belgium truly did take the lead when Thomas Vermaelen’s header rebounded back off the post, hit Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and bounced over the line.
Celebrations broke out in the stands at the Parken Stadium once again, with the fans soon sent into ecstasy.
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In the 79th minute, Andreas Christensen blasted a rocket from the edge of the area into the back of the net.
And then, three minutes after, Joakim Mæhle added a fourth.
Lukaku proceeded to bury a second for Belgium, which put them 2-0 up and all-but confirmed Denmark’s qualification.
There were emotional scenes when the final whistle blew in Copenhagen as the squad gathered round to await the end of Begium vs Finland, following along via a live scores app.
Once this was confirmed, they celebrated joyously in front of their home supporters.
