Denmark Successfully Rolls Czech Republic 2-1, Meets England In Euro 2020 Semifinals

The Danish national team beat the Czech Republic with a score of 2-1. (Intermediate Photo)

JAKARTA - The Danish national team advanced to the semifinals of Euro 2020 after defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the quarter-final match at the Baku Olympic Stadium, Azerbaijan, Saturday local time (Sunday 4 July morning).

Thomas Delany and Kasper Dolberg each scored one goal for Kasper Hjulmand's side to win, according to UEFA's official website.

Patrik Schick scored his fifth goal to share the top of the list with Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was not enough to keep the Czechs from defeat and Denmark to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals later, Denmark will await the winner of another quarter-final match which took place later, namely Ukraine or England.

Five minutes into the game, Delaney gave Denmark the lead when he went unmarked to head in a Jens Stryger Larsen corner past goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

The Czechs tried to bounce back but they couldn't create any dangerous attacks and almost conceded again in the 16th minute when Delaney returned unmarked for Stryger Larsen's cross, unfortunately the finish was not perfect and went off the sidelines.

Six minutes later Denmark's lead was almost gone when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel blundered in a pass that headed straight for Lukas Masopust and was crossed for Tomas Holes to finish at the far post. Luckily Schmeichel immediately paid for his own mistakes by blocking Holes' shot.

The Czechs continued to struggle to penetrate the Danish defense and repeatedly failed to take advantage of set-piece situations that are usually their forte. Denmark actually succeeded in doubling their advantage three minutes before the break through a quick attack which ended with Dolberg's flick.

Joakim Maehle crossed the left flank and put in a superb cross which Martin Braithwaite missed, but the ball landed right at the feet of Dolberg, who scored his third goal of Euro 2020.

The goal saw Dolberg set a record as only the second player to score three goals in a single Euro finals after John Dahl Tomasson in 2004.

Trailing 0-2 the Czechs tried to strike early in the second half and forced Schmeichel to make two brilliant saves from Michael Krmencik's long-range shot and Antonin Barak's speculative strike.

Unfortunately, Schmeichel did not move when Schick met Vladimir Coufal's cross with a volley that allowed the Czechs to close 1-2 behind Denmark in the 49th minute.

With this goal, Schick became the second Czech player to score five goals in a single Euro edition after Milan Baros who became the top scorer in the 2004 edition.

After a lot of pressure, Denmark had a fine strike in the 61st minute as Yussuf Poulsen's individual move beat Coufal down the left flank before darting through and sending in a cross which Braithwaite sadly missed.

The ball was still alive and Denmark tried to attack again, unfortunately Poulsen's shot was blocked by Tomas Soucek. Soucek had to receive treatment because his head was later hit by Poulsen's foot, while Ondrej Celustka had to leave the field with his teammates due to injury to be replaced by Jakub Brabec.

In the 74th minute, Schmecihel made one more save with his swift reaction parrying Barak's free-kick which was almost met by Soucek's header at the far post.

Four minutes later, it was Vaclik's turn to save the Czech goal with his header from Poulsen's accurate shot that almost took Denmark away.

Denmark threatened again in the 82nd minute when Maehle burst into the box to meet a through ball, but again Vaclik was quick to deny the ball.

The Czechs struggled to find an equalizer to force at least extra time, but the Danes kept their 2-1 lead held until the final whistle. Thus Denmark advances to the semifinals of Euro 2020 and will face England.