Mikkel Damsgaard underlined why Denmark’s next big event has been dubbed with an impressive Euro 2020 goal from the tournament contender against Russia as Kasper Hjulmand’s men advanced to the knockout stages.
The 20-year-old Sampdoria winger replaced Christian Eriksen once again for Denmark’s crucial Group B encounter on Monday night.
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Take a bow, Mr. Damsgaard!
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It is a moment that the young man from Sampdoria will never forget!
And Damsgaard’s incredible shot from 25 yards caused Parken Stadium to erupt and gave the hosts a vital advantage heading into interval.
In doing so, the youngster became Denmark’s youngest scorer in a major tournament (20 years and 353 days).
Damsgaard received a pass from Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on the half-return before swinging the ball to his right foot and doubling down a brilliant shot into the top corner.
It’s no wonder why Tottenham is keeping an eye on the prestigious talent, according to Club Doria, and West Ham is said to be interested in Damsgaard as well according to Athletic.
Michael Laudrup, the greatest footballer in Danish history, would certainly have enjoyed it.
The Danish football prodigy has really arrived.
And Denmark also reached the knockout stages of the tournament after an incredible final series of matches.
Following Damsgaard’s brilliant opener, Denmark received a gift to double their lead just before the hour mark.
Daler Kuzyaev made a blind pass straight into the path of Yussuf Poulsen, who would never miss with an open goal at his mercy.
There were plenty of twists and turns in an action-packed second-half, with a Romelu Lukaku goal disallowed in Finland’s game against Belgium thanks to a late call from VAR as Artem Dzyuba’s penalty put Russia back in second place alongside to Roberto Martínez’s men.
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Christensen scored his impressive goal with a graceful tribute to teammate Eriksen.
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Denmark was delighted with the victory, and with good reason!
But there would be more drama and in favor of the Danes, news that will be a huge boost for his beloved colleague Eriksen, who suffered cardiac arrest in Denmark’s group opener against Finland.
Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen hit an impressive third in the 79th minute before Joakim Maehle made it 4-1 three minutes later.
Lukaku also got his just reward in the other game by scoring his second goal of the tournament, as Belgium finished as group champion after having won all of their matches thanks to a 2-0 victory.
And to top it all, Denmark have scored more than four goals in a match in a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup (4-1 win against Nigeria). What a night!
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