GERMANY VS DENMARK PLAYER RATINGS: WHO IS A 'JOY TO WATCH'? WHOSE PLACE FOR THE QUARTER-FINALS IS AT RISK? AND WHICH DISAPPOINTING DANE HAD A TOURNAMENT TO FORGET?

• Germany beat Denmark 2-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024
• One German player was 'a joy to watch' while a Danish star disappointed again
• LISTEN: Join us as we debate the BIGGEST talking points on It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY. Available wherever you get your podcasts 

Germany booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Denmark. 

Nagesmann's side started off strongly and Nico Schlotterbeck had a header ruled out inside five minutes for a foul in the build-up. The match was then suspended after 35 minutes due to a storm. 

Joachim Andersen thought he had put Denmark in front early in the second but his goal was ruled out for offside. 

The Crystal Palace defender was then penalised for handball moments later and Kai Havertz converted from the spot, before Jamal Musiala doubled Germany's lead after 68 minutes. 

Here, Mail Sport's AADAM PATEL rates the players from the game. 

 

GERMANY (4-2-3-1)

Manuel Neuer (7)

Didn’t have much to do until the brink of half-time but my word did he turn up with a crucial save to deny Rasmus Hojlund. Kept out Hojlund again in the second half and got a clean sheet that will feel very sweet.

Joshua Kimmich (7)

Such a good player and integral to Germany’s style. Penalised for the foul which ruled out Nico Schlotterbeck’s header and came close to breaking the deadlock with a good strike that was tipped over by Kasper Schmeichel.

Antonio Rudiger (7)

Was a doubt pre-match but started and was solid, as ever. Made a superb tackle to deny Christian Eriksen and played some brilliant deliveries going forward. Great to see him encouraging Nico Schlotterbeck too after he got away with losing the ball in his own box. Pivotal to Germany’s chances.

Nico Schlotterbeck (7)

Came in for Jonathan Tah, who was suspended and he was a man on a mission. 

Nearly had the dream start with an incredible leap to score from a corner but his goal was disallowed. Was everywhere and only Toni Kroos had more touches than him in the first half. 

Fortunate to get away with one though after losing the ball in his own box but Hojlund fired wide. Great ball to Musiala to get the assist for Germany’s second.

David Raum (6)

One of three Germany changes, replacing Maximilian Mittelstädt. Admittedly, they didn’t use his flank as much as Kimmich’s but he still offered a threat and has a wicked delivery. It was his cross that got the penalty from which Germany broke the deadlock.

Toni Kroos (7)

A baller. Unsurprisingly, had the most first-half touches (63) and ran the game whenever Germany had possession. Felt like he was a different level to the rest, finishing as the only player with over 100 touches in the game. 

With a maximum of three games left in his career, make the most of him. The next one may well be his last. A genius. 

Robert Andrich (6)

A mixed game. Important to Germany’s system but should have done better from a free header and made a careless challenge on the edge of the box but Denmark wasted the free-kick. Replaced just after the hour mark with Nagelsmann keen to protect him as he was one booking away from suspension.

Leroy Sane (6)

Came in for Florian Wirtz and showed the threat he possesses with a magnificent run early on. But was otherwise quiet in the first-half with the least touches (18) out of all the German outfield players. Not sure if he has done enough to start in the quarter-final over Wirtz.

Ilkay Gundogan (6)

Reliable, as ever but didn’t have the greatest of games. Replaced in the 64th minute for Emre Can.

Jamal Musiala (8)

So elegant in possession and despite a quiet first half, took his goal wonderfully to put the game to bed. Full of composure and a finish of the highest quality. A joy to watch. What a tournament he is having - no player has scored more goals than his three so far.

Kai Havertz (6)

Offered a threat but has to be better in front of goal, missing chance after chance. His volleyed effort early on was kept out by Schmeichel but he really should have scored from his header after the restart. 

Instead, it was straight at Schmeichel and the reality is that Niclas Fullkrug - who many thought would replace him - would probably have scored that.

 Did take his penalty really well and pulled off a stunning piece of skill minutes later but somehow failed to score.

Subs

Emre Can (5)

Came on in the 64th minute.

Niclas Fullkrug (5)

Came on in the 64th minute.

Florian Wirtz (5)

Replaced Jamal Musiala in the 80th minute.

Benjamin Henrichs (5)

Replaced David Raum in the 80th minute.

Waldemar Anton (5)

Came on for Leroy Sane in the 88th minute.

 

DENMARK (3-4-2-1)

Kasper Schmeichel (7)

Kept busy in the first half, making five saves as Germany peppered the Danish goal. Dived the right way for the penalty but it was well taken by Havertz and could do nothing to keep out Musiala’s strike. Made another terrific save to deny Fullkrug late on. Denmark’s best player.

Joachim Andersen (6)

Talk about an unlucky day. Struggled initially with the German onslaught but got better as the game went on. Played a top ball for Eriksen in the first half, which could have ended as one of the goals of the tournament. 

Great finish for Denmark’s disallowed goal and the decision to award a penalty against him for handball a minute later was incredibly harsh. Booked too for dissent to rub salt into the wounds and couldn’t cope with Musiala for the second goal.

Jannik Vestergaard (6)

Struggled early on but defended well otherwise as Denmark’s back three battled all evening before they eventually caved in against a relentless German attack.

Andreas Christensen (6)

Another one who put in a solid shift but Germany’s class proved too much. Taken off for Jacob Bruun Larsen as Denmark chased goals,

Alexander Bah (6)

Full of energy up and down the right flank and battled well defensively, as he was faced with the ominous task of trying to deal with Jamal Musiala. Went off for Victor Kristiansen late on.

Thomas Delaney (6)

Played well and should have got an assist when he teed up Hojlund, who couldn’t finish. Was also his mis-hit that landed in the path of Andersen for the disallowed goal. Caused problems before he was replaced in the 69th minute for Christian Norgaard.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (6)

Like Delaney, battled well but ultimately he didn’t offer enough attacking threat when Denmark needed goals.

Joakim Maehle (6)

Had a great chance in the first half but blazed over on his weaker left foot. On the whole, dealt with Sane pretty well.

Christian Eriksen (6)

Sat out training on Friday but started and was integral to Denmark going forward. Terrific touch to bring down a 70-yard pass but was denied by a brilliant Rudiger block as he tried to get his shot away.

Andreas Skov Olsen (5)

Was preferred to Jonas Wind but failed to cause any real threat and was taken off for Yussuf Poulsen in the second half, who didn’t do much either.

Rasmus Hojlund (4)

Waited 19 minutes for his first touch of the game and finished his tournament without a goal. He really should have scored, missing an array of huge chances before he was hooked off for Jonas Wind. 

The 21-year-old’s time will come again but a tournament to forget for the Manchester United striker.

Subs

Christian Nørgaard (5)

Came on for Delaney in the 69th minute

Yussuf Poulsen (5)

Came on for Skov Olsen in the 69th minute

Jacob Bruun Larsen (5)

Replaced Christensen in the 80th minute

Jonas Wind (5)

Replaced Hojlund in the 80th minute

Victor Kristiansen (5)

Came on for Bah in the 80th minute.

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2024-06-29T22:29:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd