England qualify for Euro 2020 last 16 as Denmark set up clash with Wales

Wales will do battle with Denmark for a quarter-final place at this summer’s European Championships, while England discovered that they too qualified for the last 16 as results went in their favour this evening.

Denmark’s players have ridden a rollercoaster of emotions following Christian Eriksen’s shocking cardiac arrest in their opening match with Finland but progressed through to the last 16 as runners-up in Group B thanks to a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Russia.

Finland had looked on course for the next round before an own goal from goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and Romelu Lukaku’s late strike in Monday’s other game ended their hopes of automatic qualification.

Markku Kanerva’s squad have a nervous wait to discover whether they can go through as a third-placed team.

Rob Page’s spirited ten-man Wales side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Italy on Sunday but progressed to the last 16 as runners-up behind Roberto Mancini’s side in Group A.

With Belgium already through as Group B winners, Finland, Russia and Denmark were effectively competing for a spot against Wales in the next round this evening – and it was the latter who secured second spot after a nail-biting night of action filled with twists and turns.

Goals from Mikkel Damsgaard and Yussuf Poulsen either side of half-time gave Denmark a chance of progressing and Finland looked in serious trouble as Lukaku appeared to score against them in St. Petersburg – which would have seen a position shift in the group.

But Lukaku’s goal was ruled out for offside before Russia’s Artem Dzyuba compounded Denmark’s frustrations with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium.

However, the momentum swung back in Denmark’s favour as Thomas Vermaelen fired Belgium in front against Finland to move Kasper Hjulmand’s team back up to second place in the group.

A wondergoal from Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle’s late strike extended the Danes’ advantage in front of a rapturous home crowd, with Lukaku also scoring late on in Monday’s other game to end Finland’s hopes of automatic qualification.

It represents a remarkable turnaround for Denmark, who have been forced to continue without talisman Christian Eriksen at this summer’s tournament.

The Inter Milan midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest in their opening defeat to Finland but has since been released from hospital.

The last 16 clash between Wales and Denmark will take place at 17:00 BST this Saturday at Ajax’s Johan Cruyff Arena.

Unfortunately, Welsh supporters will not be allowed to travel from the United Kingdom to Amsterdam for the match as the Netherlands have banned all non-essential travel for non-residents.

However, the Dutch government have confirmed that those Wales fans coming to the country from Rome – where they lost to Italy yesterday – will be permitted entry as individuals would be arriving from a ‘safe country’.

‘If you are coming from a country where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low, you do not need to show a negative test result,’ a statement said.

‘You are also not required to self-quarantine when you arrive in the Netherlands.’

Page warned Euro 2020 rivals not to ‘underestimate the character of a Welshman’ after leading his side into the last 16 of the tournament.

‘It’s not been easy because we’ve had to go to Baku [to play Switzerland and Turkey], travel to Italy and now we’re going to Amsterdam,’ Wales’ interim head coach told reporters in the aftermath of the loss to Italy.

‘On paper, it seems like a great idea to have it all over Europe but logistically it is an absolute nightmare. And then you throw Covid-19 into the mix as well…

I’m really proud of the group and I’m looking forward to the last 16.

‘It’s phenomenal, the character we have in the changing room. Don’t underestimate the character of a Welshman.’

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