Russia 1-4 Denmark: Danes to face Wales after emphatic and emotional victory

Denmark set up a last-16 tie with Wales in the European Championship after an emphatic and emotional victory over Russia on a frantic night in Copenhagen.

The Danes embraced each other at full-time, just nine days after team-mate Christian Eriksen collapsed on the same pitch in their tournament opener against Finland.

After suffering cardiac arrest Eriksen has since been discharged from hospital but the toll of an emotional last week was clear to see in Denmark’s players upon the final whistle.

And throughout the match there were outbursts of roaring, delirious celebrations and passion from supporters in Copenhagen.

Knowing they needed to win and hoping Belgium beat Finland, the hosts did not hold back and Mikkel Damsgaard set the stage alight with an exquisite long-range opener.

Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen also thumped in a stunning strike late on as news of Belgium’s lead over Finland trickled into the stadium.

Yussuf Poulsen had put Denmark 2-0 up, pouncing on a poor backpass from Roman Zobnin, before Artem Dzyuba got one back for Russia from the penalty spot.

But Denmark confirmed their progression as runners-up when Christensen and Joakim Maehle made it 4-1 in a rampant three minutes.

The result left Russia, who started the night in second place, bottom of the table and out of the tournament.

Emotion, passion and delirium Denmark started the night bottom of the table having not picked up a point

The Parken Stadium was electric before kick-off as fans sang a passionate national anthem, but it was nothing compared to the scenes at full-time.

Players and staff were huddled in the centre of the pitch waiting for confirmation of Belgium’s victory over Finland and there was an almighty roar when the result came through.

Denmark needed a victory and they delivered for the fans – Damsgaard kicking things off with a moment of magic, becoming the country’s youngest goalscorer (20 years, 335 days) at a major tournament in the process.

Poulsen was drenched in beer thrown into the air by supporters when he netted Denmark’s second and though Dzyuba’s spot-kick created a moment of anxiety, it did not last long.

Denmark bombarded the Russian goal – keeper Matvey Safonov making a number of stunning saves – before Christensen’s thumping strike erupted the stadium once more.

Maehle’s composed finish capped it off and now Denmark head into the last 16 full of confidence with Wales awaiting next on Saturday, 26 June in Amsterdam.

Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand celebrated heavily at full-time Denmark ran over to celebrate with supporters after their progression was confirmed

Player of the match

MaehleJoakim Maehle

Line-ups Russia

Formation 3-4-2-1

16Safonov

14Dzhikiya3Diveev13Kudryashov

2Figueira Fernandes7Ozdoev11Zobnin23Kuzyaev

15Al Miranchuk17Golovin

22Dzyuba

Substitutes

Denmark

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Schmeichel

6Christensen4Kjaer3Vestergaard

18Wass23Højbjerg8Delaney5Maehle

9Braithwaite14Damsgaard

20Poulsen

Substitutes

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