DORTMUND, Germany (AP): LET THAT patriotic fervour soar. Host nation Germany is headed to the quarter-finals at the European Championship after a wet and wild win over Denmark yesterday. “We’re going to Berlin,” sang the jubilant Germany fans who were first battered by rain and hail after a thunderstorm that stopped play for 25 minutes, then saw their team benefit from back-to-back video review calls that helped to set up a 2-0 victory in Dortmund.
Two more wins will take Germany to the capital for the July 14 final, in what could yet turn into a summer fairy tale for a nation whose soccer team is coming out of a sorry run of performances in major tournaments. It could have been so different against the Danes, though. The host-nation buzz was burst when, with the score at 0-0, Denmark defender Joachim Andersen swept home a close-range finish that looked to have put his team ahead in the 50th minute.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) spotted an offside in the buildup, a free kick was awarded, and the ball was played downfield immediately, leading to a cross by David Raum hitting the outstretched right arm of – who else? – Andersen. The VAR got involved again and a penalty was awarded. Kai Havertz converted the spot kick and Jamal Musiala added a second goal – his third of the tournament, which is tied for the most with Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze – in the 68th.
“We played a super game – we had crazy fans again today,” Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck .