Ratings of the players as the hosts survive the chance to reach the quarter finals of Euro 2024

Germany advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-0 win against Denmark in Dortmund on Saturday night.

Two goals in the second half ensured that the hosts progressed to the last eight, taking advantage after the Danes scored in opposition.

With 35 minutes to go, referee Michael Oliver stopped the game due to a lightning storm, but the game resumed soon after when the heavy rain cleared.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side will face either Spain or Georgia in the next round, with their potential opponents due to play on Sunday.

How the game happened

After only four minutes, Germany thought they were in the lead. Nico Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner, but the goal was disallowed as Joshua Kimmich was adjudged to have illegally blocked Andreas Skov Olsen from getting to the ball first.

Kasper Schmeichel soon after had to get down to deny a good volley from Kai Havertz as the hosts’ fast start continued.

Denmark’s first opener came when Joachim Andersen released Christian Eriksen with a wonderful ball over the top. His first touch was good, but Antonio Rudiger made a final block to deny him.

Eriksen then turned provider for Joakim Maehle, his shot from a tight spot whistled wide of the post.

After play resumed following a lightning stoppage, Schmeichel produced a brilliant effort to deny Havertz, who rose high to meet David Raum’s wicked cross.

Germany could have been made to pay when Schlotterbeck was dispossessed in the box by Rasmus Hojlund, who raced into touch before firing a shot wide.

Another chance came when Germany were caught high up the pitch and released Skov Olsen on the counter. His through ball hit Rudiger and rolled into the path of Hojlund, but Manuel Neuer was quick off his line to divert his dink to safety.

Less than three minutes after the restart, Denmark found the ball in the net. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s floating cross took several deflections before Andersen connected. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Moments later, VAR recommended a review after the ball hit Andersen as he tried to save Raum’s cross, and referee Oliver pointed to the penalty area. Havertz stepped up and found the bottom corner to put Germany ahead.

Havertz should have had a second soon after when he took the ball past two retreating Danish defenders with great skill and raced towards goal, only for his finish to hit the post.

At the other end, Hojbjerg found Hojlund in the box, but his effort was straight at Neuer.

And Denmark were made to pay for that waste when Musiala doubled Germany’s lead in their next attack. Schlotterbeck’s brilliant ball in behind the Denmark defense rolled into the path of Musiala, and he made no mistake when he faced Schmeichel.

Substitute Florian Wirtz thought he might have added a third in stoppage time, but he was offside and Germany should have settled for a two-goal victory.

GK: Manuel Neuer – 6/10 – He came up with some important saves and his quick decisions off his line benefited the team.

RB: Joshua Kimmich – 6/10 – Most of Denmark’s good chances came from Kimmich and he failed to cope. It’s neat and tidy at least.

CB: Antonio Rudiger – 8/10 – He went to great lengths to ensure his clean sheet remained clean with a series of excellent hacks and blocks. An impressive performance from someone who was an injury doubt for most of the week.

CB: Nico Schlotterbeck – 7/10 – Little suspect defensively but his handling skills led to Germany’s second goal. Unfortunately, his attempt was ruled out.

LB: David Raum – 7/10 – He entered Mittelstadt and took his chance to impress. He sat down on the left side to give support to the preacher and put funny crosses.

CM: Robert Andrich – 6/10 – He got stuck and came up with an unusual long pass.

CM: Toni Kroos – 6/10 – He was a little more sloppy than usual in midfield in the first half as Germany eased up, but returned to his role after the break.

RW: Leroy Sane – 5/10 – He held the ball for a long time but was often caught for holding it too long.

AM: Ilkay Gundogan – 5/10 – It came out of space linking play but didn’t have a lasting impact on the game.

LW: Jamal Musiala – 8/10 – Pulled in to allow Raum room to work on the wing. Lost for a long time in the game but broke free to score the finishing goal.

CF: Kai Havertz – 7/10 – The best and worst of Havertz was on display. He took his penalty admirably, created chances for himself, showed great skill, but the final touch in open play was often lacking.

What you are holding

SUB: Emre Can (64′ for Andrich) – 6/10

SUB: Niclas Fullkrug (64′ for Gundogan) – 6/10

SUB: Benjamin Henrichs (80′ for Raum) – 6/10

SUB: Florian Wirtz (80′ for Musiala) – 6/10

SUB: Waldemar Anton (88′ for Sane) – N/A

Sponsors used: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK), Oliver Baumann (GK), Maximilian Mittelstadt, Robin Koch, Pascal Gross, Thomas Muller, Chris Fuhrich, Maximilian Beier, Deniz Undav

The manager

Julian Nagelsmann – 6/10 – Germany again played with real intensity but their lack of defense will be punished by the better teams.

GK: Kasper Schmeichel – 7/10 – He made a crucial save in the first half when Denmark were under pressure and needed a break.

CB: Joachim Andersen – 6/10 – The unlucky opponent of the evening, he denied the international’s first goal harshly and conceded a penalty even more cruelly. However, Germany looked to be floating over his head all night.

CB: Jannik Vestergaard – 6/10 – He didn’t look out of place for this level, which is probably all you can ask of him in the playoffs against Germany.

CB: Andreas Christensen – 6/10 – He got physical with Havertz in the first half. It was caught late on as Denmark looked to make an unlikely comeback.

RM: Alexander Bah – 5/10 – He started with enthusiasm against Raum and Musiala but was more comfortable when Denmark had the ball.

CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6/10 – Denmark’s source of inspiration in midfield, splitting play and moving the ball forward.

CM: Thomas Delaney – 4/10 – Couldn’t keep up with the pace of the game. Morten Hjulmand was sorely missed.

LM: Joakim Maehle – 5/10 – As Bah was not sent off defensively but he proved his use in Germany’s third game.

AM: Andreas Skov Olsen – 5/10 – He opened up Hojlund in the first half but that was the extent of his involvement.

AM: Christian Eriksen – 6/10 – Everything good the Danes did came through Eriksen, who was happy to take responsibility even on a fruitless night.

CF: Rasmus Hojlund – 4/10 – You are too hasty with her decision making and you did not support her to change any of her opportunities. It should be better to do this at 21 years of age.

What you are holding

SUB: Christian Norgaard (69′ for Delaney) – 5/10

SUB: Yussuf Poulsen (69′ for Skov Olsen) – 5/10

SUB: Jonas Wind (81′ for Hojlund) – 5/10

SUB: Jacob Bruun Larsen (81′ for Christensen) – 5/10

SUB: Victor Kristiansen (81′ for Bah) – 5/10

Subs used: Mads Hermansen (GK), Frederik Ronnow (GK), Simon Kjaer, Zanka, Mikkel Damsgaard, Ramsus Kristensen, Mathias Jensen, Kasper Dolberg, Anders Dreyer

The manager

Kasper Hjulmand – 6/10 – Denmark competed as well as they could but it didn’t happen. Undoubtedly, it should have been good if his players were tied 1-0.

Best player – Antonio Rudiger (Germany)

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