DORTMUND, GERMANY - JUNE 29: Kai Havertz of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 29, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Die Mannschaft's attempt to win the European Championship for the first time since 1996 continued in successful fashion as they beat Denmark 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

The hosts edged a back and forth game, interrupted by thunderstorms and full of drama.

Second-half goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala secured victory for Julian Nagelsmann's side, but it was not always smooth sailing.

Denmark put up a determined effort, and will rue their wastefulness in front of goal.

Germany will now face the winner of Spain or Georgia for a place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

  • Story of the Match

Nagelsmann made three changes to the German eleven that had consistently featured throughout the tournament. Jonathan Tah missed out due to accumulating two bookings during the group stage, and Nico Schlotterbeck was selected to replace the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back.

Antonio Rüdiger recovered from an injury scare, to partner Schlotterbeck at the heart of the German defence. David Raum entered the starting line-up at left-back with Joshua Kimmich making up the Germany back-line.

The hosts continued with a midfield pivot of Toni Kroos and Robert Andrich, with captain İlkay Gündoğan playing further advanced.

Die Mannschaft scored eight goals in the group stages, as they topped Group A, but Nagelsmann chose to make a change to his front three. Leroy Sane replaced Florian Wirtz, and the Bayern Munich winger was joined in attack by his club teammate Musiala and Havertz. 

Denmark were also forced into a change due to suspension, Morten Hjulmand, scorer of the fantastic long range effort versus England, missed out due to an accumulation of yellow cards. 

Thomas Delaney and Christian Eriksen did not train Friday due to stomach issues, but both were selected in the starting line-up by Denmark manager, Kasper Hjulmand. Delaney replaced the suspended Hjulmand in midfield, alongside Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Continuing with the 5-2-1-2 formation, the Danes have operated throughout Euro 2024, Joachim Andersen, Andreas Christensen and Jannik Vestergaard retained their positions in central defence, with Alexander Bah and Joakim Mæhle at wing-back.

Andreas Skov Olsen was given his first start of the tournament, as Hjulmand attempted to bolster a Denmark attack that had only previously scored two goals at Euro 2024. Partnering the Club Brugge forward was Rasmus Højlund.

First Half

The previous two meetings between the sides had ended in draws, but an emphatic start from Germany threatened to end that run. 

In only the fourth minute of the game, Schlotterbeck rose highest from a Kroos corner to head into the Denmark net, but the goal was controversially ruled out after a blocking infringement from Kimmich. 

Undeterred by the disallowed goal, Die Mannschaft continued their early pressure, Kimmich saw a long-range effort denied superbly by Kasper Schmeichel, and from the resulting corner, the Denmark goalkeeper was called into action again to turn another Schlotterbeck header round the post.

The Anderlecht shot-stopper continued to be heavily involved within the first ten minutes, smartly saving a Havertz volley before collecting an Andrich header on target.

Die Mannschaft had only lost once at the Signal Iduna Park previously, and the exuberant German fans in Dortmund showcased tremendous support behind Nagelsmann's side, as they willed Germany to continue forward.

Denmark were yet to suffer the taste of defeat at Euro 2024, drawing all three previous matches in Group C, and Hjulmand's side battled resolutely to gain a foothold in the game under German pressure.

Crystal Palace's Andersen delivered an incredible lofted ball beyond the German defence to find the run of Eriksen, but Rüdiger recovered well to block the first Danish attempt on goal behind for a corner.

Denmark appeared to have weathered the early German storm, and a fantastic first touch from Mæhle gave the left-wing back a sight on goal, but he could only lash his effort wide of Manuel Neuer's goal. Eriksen then fired a free-kick from close range into the defensive Die Mannschaft wall.

A huge clap of thunder brought the game to a halt in the 36th minute, as referee Michael Oliver chose to bring the players from both sides off the pitch, with a thunderstorm brewing around the Signal Iduna Park.

After a 25 minute stoppage due to the adverse weather conditions, the players returned to the field to a huge cheer from the drenched crowd, with play resuming from a drop-ball.

Die Mannschaft began the restart in similar fashion to how they had started the game, an immense reaction save from Schmeichel denying a goal-bound Havertz header.

Denmark were nearly gifted the breakthrough when a dawdling Schlotterbeck was dispossessed in the German 18-yard box by Højlund, but the Manchester United striker snatched at the opportunity, striking his effort into the side netting.

Germany had failed to reach the quarter-finals at their last three major international tournaments, and it was only brave goalkeeping from Neuer which prevented the hosts from going into half-time behind.

A Danish counterattack gave Højlund the chance to redeem his miss, a through-ball from Delaney sent the 21-year-old bearing down on the German goal, but Neuer was quick off his line and did exceptionally well to smother the effort. 

The action was the last of the first half, as Michael Oliver's whistle drew the first 45 minutes to a close.

Second Half

Denmark kicked off to resume play and they started emphatically. A set piece ricocheted within the penalty area, and after falling to Andersen, the defender ruthlessly dispatched the ball into the bottom left corner of the German goal. Unfortunately for the Danish supporters, the goal was ruled out for offside to keep the scores level.

When it rains, it pours. Germany immediately attacked the other end, and in a cruel moment, Andersen went from hero to zero. A Raum cross deflected off the defender's outstretched arm from close range gifting a penalty to the hosts after VAR intervention. 

Whether the arm was in a natural position was up to debate, with Andersen running too close down the cross, but the result was a German penalty and a golden chance for Havertz to put Die Mannschaft into the lead.

The Arsenal man made no mistake, a stuttered run-up was followed by a pinpoint strike arrowed into the bottom right corner of the goal, past the outstretched glove of Schmeichel to give Germany the lead in the 53rd minute.

Havertz, who was celebrating his 50th international cap, was given a chance to double their advantage. A tremendous piece of skill gave the German striker the opportunity to run freely at Schmeichel, but Havertz's dinked finish could only roll past the wrong side of the post.

A slick Danish move allowed Højlund an open strike on goal, but his left-footed effort was straight at Neuer. A let-off for the hosts, and a reminder that this Denmark side would not give up the match without a fight.

Football is a game of moments, and Germany would ensure Denmark's missed chances would come back to punish them. Almost immediately after Højlund's missed attempt, a superb long ball into the channel from Schlotterbeck allowed Musiala to race through to double Die Mannschaft's lead in the 68th minute.

Schmeichel was indecisive in the Danish goal, and the composed Bayern Munich attacker made no mistake. Cutting in from the left-hand side, Musiala bent his finish stylistically around the Denmark keeper, sending the German fans into raptures.

Changes rang from both sides, and it interrupted the flow of the game.

As Denmark pushed men forward to try force a way back into the match, it left spaces open at the back and Nagelsmann's side attempted to exploit the spaces left in the Danish defence.

Substitute Florian Wirtz saw a cheeky finish ruled out for offside, and Havertz was again denied by a wonderful Schmeichel save.

After five additional minutes, the full-time whistle rang out, signalling German success and a devastating defeat for Denmark.

Player of the Match - Jamal Musiala

The 21-year-old was a constant threat throughout the game, receiving the ball in the half spaces, driving at the Danish defence and showcasing his silky footwork.

Musiala's creativity was present throughout, and the Bayern Munich attacker's efforts were rewarded when he latched onto a long ball in behind the Denmark defence; confidently striking into the bottom right corner to double the German advantage.