Germany beat Denmark 2-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a storm interrupted play

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Within a minute, the mood in Germany went from despair to joy as a few key video review calls paved the way for the host nation to a storm-battered 2-0 win over Denmark and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Saturday.

Danish defender Joachim Andersen had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside decision in the 50th minute before conceding a penalty for handball during Germany’s next attack.

Kai Havertz converted the penalty and Jamal Musiala scored a second goal in the 68th minute. The game was interrupted for around 25 minutes in the first half because of heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning in Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.

It was Germany’s first win in the knockout phase of a major tournament since 2016 and another sign of the team’s growing belief that it can inspire the nation on the highest stage after years of underperformance.

The Germans will next play against Spain or Georgia and are the second team to advance to the round of 16 after Switzerland beat defending champions Italy 2-0 on Saturday.

“We are going to Berlin,” sang the German fans – a reference to the venue for the 2024 European Championship final on July 14 – in the huge south stand in the final minutes of an event that proved dramatic both because of the weather and because of what was happening on the pitch.

After heavy thunder and lightning, the referee took the players off the field in the 35th minute and there was a delay of around 20 minutes during which torrential rain and sleet lashed the fans in the front rows. The players returned to the field and did warm-up exercises before play resumed.

The Danes weathered their own storm early in the game and thought they were taking the lead against the run of play when Andersen blasted a shot home from close range. The Video Assistant Referee adjudged an offside in the build-up, a free kick was awarded and the ball was played forward, leading to a cross from David Raum that hit Andersen’s outstretched right arm. VAR was called again and a penalty was awarded.

Havertz scored and after that it was all Germany’s way as Musiala ran away and scored his third goal of the tournament – ​​the highest ever.

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Steve Douglas, Associated Press