Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany face Denmark in their last-16 tie at Euro 2024 tonight.
The hosts strolled through the group stages, with two impressive performances in their opening two games meaning they had qualified with a game to spare when they faced Switzerland, though the nature of that 1-1 draw means that Nagelsmann will be demanding an exciting performance.
Denmark had a far more underwhelming group stage, with three draws meaning they picked up a measly three points that was just enough to creep through in second place in Group C. But with a solid side including Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and a wealth of experienced defenders, Denmark are capable of springing the latest surprise at Euro 2024, and Germany will need to be on form if they’re to earn a place in the quarter-finals.
Follow all the latest updates from Germany v Denmark below.
Germany vs Denmark
Three of the last four meetings between Germany and Denmark in all competitions have been drawn (Germany won the other 2-1 at Euro 2012), which is more draws than the first 24 encounters between the two sides beforehand (two).
Mike Jones29 June 2024 19:20
Germany vs Denmark
This will be the fifth meeting between Germany and Denmark at a major tournament (World Cup/Euros), with both sides winning two each of the previous four.
The only previous knockout stage tie between the two nations was the final of Euro 1992, which Denmark won 2-0.
Mike Jones29 June 2024 19:10
Germany v Denmark line-ups
Here are those line-ups again. Julian Nagelsmann makes a three changes, with left-back Max Mittelstadt replaced by David Raum, the suspended centre-back Jonathan Tah replaced by Nico Schlotterbeck, and winger Florian Wirtz making way for Leroy Sane.
The Danes make two changes with Thomas Delaney replacing the suspended Morten Hjulmand in midfield and winger Andreas Skov Olsen in for Jonas Wind.
Germany: Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum, Andrich, Kroos, Sane, Gundogan, Musiala, Havertz.
Subs: Gross, Fullkrug, Fuhrich, Baumann, Muller, Beier, Anton, Wirtz, Mittelstadt, Henrichs, ter Stegen, Koch, Can, Undav.
Denmark: Schmeichel, Andersen, Vestergaard, Christensen, Bah, Delaney, Hojbjerg, Maehle, Eriksen, Skov Olsen, Hojlund.
Subs: Kjaer, Jensen, Dolberg, Jorgensen, Damsgaard, Norgaard, Hermansen, Kristiansen, Wind, Poulsen, Ronnow, Dreyer, Kristensen, Bruun Larsen.
Lawrence Ostlere29 June 2024 19:07
It’s a knockout for Kane
Harry Kane may be England’s all-time leading goalscorer but his strike in the draw with Denmark was his first in the group stage of a major finals since the 2018 World Cup.
The England skipper, though, will be buoyed by his recent record once the business end of the tournament comes around and Southgate will be hoping history repeats itself.
He scored four in four at Euro 2020 as England were eventually beaten on penalties by Italy, and at the World Cup in 2022 he again drew a blank in the group stage before scoring two in two – although he did miss a penalty in the quarter-final defeat to France.
Mike Jones29 June 2024 18:50
Southgate’s last stand?
Having led England into a fourth major tournament as manager, Gareth Southgate’s future remains uncertain – especially given the criticism he has faced in Germany.
He was jeered following the Slovenia game and had plastic beer cups thrown in his direction from fans frustrated by the performance.
It is a far cry from when Southgate guided England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the Euro 2020 final at Wembley three years ago and an exit at the hands of Slovakia would likely see his tenure come to an end.
Mike Jones29 June 2024 18:40
Good memories in Dortmund
Germany have an impressive record in Dortmund.
They have scored 69 goals and conceded just 15 here. The only team to beat them in this stadium is Italy, during the Fifa World Cup semi-finals in 2006.
The last match they played here was a 2-1 win over France in September 2023.
Mike Jones29 June 2024 18:30
Kasper Hjulmand previews the game:
Denmark’s head coach said yesterday: “At the start I considered Germany one of the favourites, and it’s too bad that they’re playing us tomorrow.
“They have quality and talent, and expressed themselves very well in the group. But we also have quality and talent, and they’ll have to be very, very good to beat us.
“We know the fans that travel to Dortmund will do their very best to inspire us. We will be ready for it.”
Mike Jones29 June 2024 18:20
Pre-match thoughts from Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann:
“Denmark are a very well-organised team. There are phases where they are very aggressive defensively but then make great one-touch attacks.
“They have a lot of experienced players in the squad and a clear structure. It’s a tough opponent, for sure.
“The Dortmund stadium is usually very loud, and I have experienced it many times as an opposing coach. I hope we will have a similar noise coming from the stands tomorrow.”
Mike Jones29 June 2024 18:10
Gareth Southgate once freed England’s players – now he risks suffocating them
When Gareth Southgate talks about being “very careful” not to go back to the old England “environment”, there are specific moments he is thinking of. One memory that stands out was when Southgate himself was picked to play midfield rather than centre-half for the infamous 1-0 defeat to Germany in 2000, which was the last match at the old Wembley.
He and Kevin Keegan — the manager about to resign due to how unenjoyable the job was — had been savaged for it before the game. It got worse afterwards.
Just a few months before that, Southgate’s usual centre-half partner Tony Adams had a specific message for newcomer Steven Gerrard. Adams went right up to the midfielder’s face and screamed “Are you f****** ready for this?!”
Mike Jones29 June 2024 18:00