Denmark reach Euros semi-final by beating Czech Republic

Denmark are through to the Euro 2020 semi-final after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic.

The Danes have reached the semi-final for the first time since their victorious 1992 campaign thanks to first-half goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg.

Patrik Schick became the tournament’s joint top scorer when he pulled a goal back but Denmark were able to hold out to confirm their place in the last four.

They will play either England or Ukraine on Wednesday.

Delaney put Denmark ahead within the first five minutes when Jens Larsen found him unmarked at a corner to head in from 12 yards.

Mikkel Damsgaard should have made it two when he was put through by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Sampdoria forwarded rounded Tomas Vaclik but the shot was cleared off the line.

Kasper Schmeichel put Denmark in danger midway through the first half when he played the ball straight to Lukas Masopust. The midfielder played in Schick but Schmeichel atoned by coming out quickly to block his shot.

Dolberg did double the lead moments before the break. A superb cross from Joakim Maehle narrowly missed the head of Martin Braithwaite but Dolberg was well positioned to volley the ball in from eight yards.

Czech Republic came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half and halftime substitute Michal Krmencik tested Schmeichel from close range.

Antonin Barak then had a half-volley from the edge of the box but that was tipped round the post by Schmeichel.

Schick finally made the breakthrough for the Czechs with their next attack when he placed the ball into the bottom corner from Vladimir Coufal’s cross.

Denmark weathered the storm after the Czech goal though, as Schick and co struggled to create more chances to equalise.

Yussuf Poulsen came off the bench to add energy to the Danes and forced Vaclik into a good save.

And it was Poulsen again who nearly sealed the deal but his 20-yarder was parried away.

Barak had one final chance for the Czech Republic in stoppage time shot just wide of the post from outside the penalty area.

Cover Photo: “Denmark Flag” by José Carlos Cortizo Pérez is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0