Germany beat Denmark 2-0, Swiss knock out defending champs

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 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 to England.

Germany will play Spain or Georgia next, and became the second team to advance from the round of 16 after Switzerland beat defending champion Italy 2-0 earlier.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told German broadcaster ZDF that he used the rain delay to show his players incidents from the game.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was left to rue those crucial couple of minutes when the VAR decisions were made.

“I have the photo here,” he said, whipping out his phone at the post-match news conference. “It was one centimetre (offside). In terms of statistics and data, it doesn’t make sense. This is not how we are supposed to be using VAR.

“And I am so tired of the ridiculous handball rule. Joachim was running normally. It’s a normal situation.”

Earlier, Switzerland found goals in each half from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas to notch their first win over their southern neighbours for 31 years and set up a quarterfinal against England or Slovakia in Düsseldorf on July 6.

Switzerland dominated in terms of possession, shots, attacks and passes.

Freuler deservedly broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when he set up Vargas’ cross with his first touch and smashed it in with his next.

the second half had barely started before Vargas curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the top right corner.