Denmark advance to EURO 2020 semi-final after slim win over Czech Republic

Denmark advance to EURO 2020 semi-final after slim win over Czech Republic - Match highlights

Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg scored the goals as Denmark defeated the Czech Republic to reach their first EURO semi-final since 1992 when they went on to win the title. 

Denmark, who were beaten 3-0 by the Czechs at this level in 2004, got off to a fast start this time. 

And it was Delaney who put them ahead after just five minutes, capitalising on sloppy defending to head a corner beyond Tomas Vaclik.

Jaroslav Silhavy's team was in trouble again minutes later, with Vaclik having to save a Mikkel Damsgaard effort before Delaney scuffed wide. 

Despite that brilliant run, the Danes had to keep their cool, as Kasper Schmeichel was forced to scramble back and block Toms Hole's ensuing attempt to make up for a sloppy pass.

As the end of half-time approached, Denmark extended their lead in spectacular fashion. 

Joakim Maehle's superb outside-of-the-boot delivery swerved into Dolberg's stride this time, and Dolberg only needed to connect to steer into the roof of the net.

The Czechs were up against it at halftime, but they rallied inside four minutes of the resumption. 

Their goal came from a familiar source as well, with Patrik Schick guiding in Vladimir Coufal's lovely cross to become only the ninth player in a EURO final campaign to score five goals - and restore his team's hopes.

In a thrilling second half, Denmark maintained their threat, and the game appeared to be over when Maehle latched onto Yussuf Poulsen's through ball. 

Vaclik, on the other hand, read the situation well enough to keep his team in the tie.

Late on, Tomas Soucek came close to equalising for the Czech Republic.

It never arrived, as Kasper Hjulmand's side dug in for their third straight win and a place in the Wembley semi-finals.

Man of the Match: Tomáš Holeš (Czech Republic)

🇩🇰 Thomas Delaney = Star of the Match 🥇

🤔 Did you predict that?@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/0HuBxgwckO

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 3, 2021

What the players and managers said

Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark coach: "It's magical. The first thing I showed the boys when we met was a picture of Wembley, when we were there in the autumn. I said that we were going to come back. It was like we were playing in a Danish stadium because our dedicated fans came to support us in Baku. We're deeply thankful."

Thomas Delaney, Denmark midfielder: "It's fantastic. The match didn't develop as we had hoped, but we stood our ground. I couldn't care less about how the match went – now it's forgotten and we're through."

Simon Kjaer, Denmark captain: "We had a goal before heading into this tournament, and that was to go back to Wembley. I'd be lying if I said that we're OK with reaching the semis. We need to recover and then we have another match in four days."

Vladimir Darida, Czech Republic captain: "We have nothing to be ashamed of. We put in good performances, showed fighting spirit and fought like the lions on our crest. That was obvious in today's match too. It's a pity we couldn't equalise because I believe the game would have turned our way."

Patrik Schick, Czech Republic forward: "We're very disappointed – it all ends here for us. I think we did everything to succeed, but we didn't have enough power to turn it in our favour in the final minutes."

Tomas Vaclik, Czech Republic goalkeeper: "Nobody believed in us, but we stuck together. There is a strong team spirit – we have something special in this team. As time passes by, I think we'll only look back at positives in this tournament."

Czech Republic 1-2 Denmark: Watch the full match highlights