DORTMUND, Germany — Let that patriotic fervor soar. Host nation Germany is headed to the quarterfinals at the European Championship after a wet and wild win over Denmark on Saturday. Two more wins will take Germany to the capital for the July 14 final after Germany defeated Demark 2-0 Saturday in Euros Round of 16 match Saturday.
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 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 said.
"We're playing with euphoria, we're playing with fun, and that's what the most beautiful thing about football is." It was Germany's first win in the knockout stage of a major tournament since 2016, since when the national team has failed to advance from the group stage at back-to-back World Cups and lost in the last 16 of the last Euros in 2021 t.