Danes Make Wales Wail: What We Learnt
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Denmark have progressed to the quarterfinal of the 2020 European championship after thrashing Wales 4-0 in their knockout round encounter.
A brace from Kasper Dolberg and a goal each from Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite condemned Wales to a thumping defeat.
Dolberg scored on each side of the interval. His first, a fine finish from outside the box, before capitalizing on a defensive error by Neco Williams to double Denmark's lead.
Maehle scored with just two minutes of the duration left and Barcelona striker, Braithwaite completed the scoreline.
Here are three things we learnt
*1. Dazzling Deputy Dolberg
Kasper Dolberg was in the team, deputizing for the injured Yusuf Poulsen and rightly repaid his coach's trsut with a goal after the half hour mark.
The OGC Nice of France striker proved a fine finisher when he scored immediately after the interval to compound Wales' woes in what was his second appearance at the tournament.
The 23-year old hit 6 goals for Nice last season and provided two assists in 25 Ligue 1 appearances.
Were you impressed by Dolberg's outing?
*2. Denmark pulling through with Emotions
It could be said that the emotions of missing their talisman, Christian Eriksen has been the propelling force behind this Danish team and their feat at this tournament.
Since the 1986 World Cup, this is the first time that they have won consecutive games in a major tournament, following their 4-1 win over Russia in their last game of the group stage.
At this year's tournament, three of their goals have been scored from outside the penalty area this is the most for any team at this year's European championship.
Will Denmark's emotion take them all the way?
*3. Wailing Wales
It would be a disappointing exit for the Wales national team that boasts of the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Daniel James as key players, with former Liverpool star, Joe Allen also in the mix.
Bale said in his post match interview that the second goal shouldn't have stood because of a foul by Simon Kjaer on Kieffer Moore prior to the goal but admitted that the deed had already been done. VAR reviewed and saw nothing wrong in the build up.
They started the better side on the day, but could not make their early advantage count and lost their momentum after conceding that first goal.
This is the first time they have lot in consecutive games in a major tournament and the red card to Harry Wilson in the closing stages of the game is the second they have received at this tournament.
Do you think Wales surpassed expectations?
I am disappointed in Wales, I expected more from them. Like they couldn't even score a single goal with the stars in their team?
But that's football for you.
I am hoping underrated teams like Denmark keep shocking us and that they go very far for their teammate Erikson.
To be sincere, I never expected anything spectacular from Wales given their precedence.
For Denmark, the Eriksen situation has been a big motivation for them. They have exceeded expectations and were they to exit now, they'd feel fulfilled.