Denmark outclassed Wales with an impressive performance to reach their first EURO quarter-final in 17 years, as Kasper Dolberg became the first Danish player to score two goals in a EURO knockout game since 1992.
Heavily involved in the early exchanges, Gareth Bale threatened during a positive start by Wales. The captain drilled wide twice in the space of a couple of minutes, before a clutch of white shirts rebuffed a close-range Aaron Ramsey volley.
However, the turning point came when Dolberg converted the Danes’ first real chance before the half-hour, latching onto Mikkel Damsgaard’s defence-splitting ball to curl exquisitely inside Danny Ward’s left upright.
To nullify Welsh danger men Ramsey and Bale, Kasper Hjulmand’s side switched to a back four and consolidated their foothold in this last-16 tie.
As half-time loomed, Joakim Mæhle’s snapshot was repelled by Ward, but De Rød-Hvide were in control regardless – getting in behind and setting the tempo.
Dolberg duly pounced again shortly after the restart: Neco Williams’s panicked clearance fell kindly for the striker to take a touch and drive home his second of the evening in Amsterdam.
Wales continued to probe, but the Welsh counterattack proved no match for the unwavering Danish defensive block. To cap a super display, Mæhle cut inside and shot high into the net for Denmark’s third, before Martin Braithwaite thumped home the stoppage-time fourth. Co-hosts Denmark, beaten in their first two games of this EURO, are the first team into the quarter-finals.
Post-Match Reaction:
Kasper Dolberg, Denmark forward: “It’s completely crazy. I actually don’t know how I feel. This is total madness. It’s surreal. It was here [at the Johan Cruijff ArenA] where it all started for me, and to play here again in this setting was insane.”
Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark coach:”It’s hard to believe that this is reality. I admire the boys and the fact we can keep fighting. No matter who plays, they play very well. The guys are true warriors.”
Gareth Bale, Wales captain:”It’s not how we wanted the game to go. From our point of view we started very well, and then the game changed. We tried to play in the second half but made a mistake to concede, which killed the momentum on our side.”
Joakim Mæhle, Denmark defender:”Look at the support we had in Amsterdam. It’s completely nuts. The self-confidence and the courage we bring is something we must take even further. We’re not worried who we’re going to meet. We are focusing on ourselves and our qualities.”
Joe Allen, Wales midfielder: “Our game plan was to really impose ourselves, give them problems and put them on the back foot. In fairness, early on, we did do that. They made some changes and swung the momentum in their favour, and obviously the goal changes everything.”
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