Wales vs Denmark LIVE: Euro 2020 team news, line-ups and more today
Wales are taking on Denmark at the Amsterdam ArenA in the first match of the last 16 at Euro 2020 this afternoon. Wales finished second to Italy in Group A, while Denmark managed to bounce back from two defeats in their opening two games to finish as runners-up to Belgium in Group B.
Five years on from their memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Wales have a chance to create more happy memories after reaching the knockouts in successive tournaments. They lost 1-0 to Italy in their final group match thanks to Matteo Pessina’s goal, but the result sent Robert Page’s side through in second despite having to play 35 minutes with 10 men after Ethan Ampadu’s red card.
After a distressing opening game against Finland, in which Christian Eriksen collapsed, Kasper Hjulmand’s team bounced back from consecutive defeats to win 4-1 against Russia in Copenhagen. Goals from Mikkel Damsgaard, Yussuf Poulsen, Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle sealed an emotional win in front of thousands of home fans at the Parken Stadium. In making the last 16, Denmark became the first team in European Championship history to reach the knockout stages of the competition having lost their first two group games. Follow all the action below:
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Euro 2020: Wales boss impressed by Denmark
Wales interim manager, Robert Page, says his team are ready for the knockout stages and want to progress as far as they can in the tournament. They reached the semi-final stage of Euro 16, in their first appearance at the tournament, and there’s a chance they could go as far this time too.
If they get past Denmark, they’ll face either the Netherlands or Czech Republic in the quarter-final and both of those teams have weaknesses that Wales can exploit.
But that’s all in a possible future. Today the focus is squarely on facing Denmark in Amsterdam.
“We are ready for a battle because it is going to be a battle,” said Page. “It’s all out now. The gloves are off. We are in the knockout stages. We are fully ready for it.”
“We’re all ambitious and we want to go as far as we can, but we’re not naive going into this game. We’ve watched Denmark play in their most recent game and you can’t be anything other than impressed by what they’re doing.
“We also know that, on our day, we can give anyone a good game.”
Euro 2020: Wales vs Denmark – ones to watch
Danny Ward’s performances were one of the key reasons why Wales progressed to the last 16, with the goalkeeper even making it into the Independent’s team of the group stage.
The Leicester City stopper comes up against his club team-mate and Foxes number one Kasper Schmeichel this afternoon and will be looking to continue the form that saw him make a number of key saves as Wales picked up four points against Switzerland and Turkey.
Denmark’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joakim Maehle have also enjoyed fine tournaments and are ones to watch – with the latter in particular a threat down the left from his wing-back position.
Euro 2020 team of the group stage with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorginho and Danny Ward
These players have thrived in the opening games – sometimes even when their sides have not
Euro 2020: Early team news ahead of Wales vs Denmark
Wales are expected to revert back to a 4-5-1 formation against Denmark after Robert Page switched things up for the 1-0 defeat to Italy in their final match of the group stages. Ethan Ampadu is suspended after he was sent off against the Italians, so their defence will likely revert to the back four of Connor Roberts, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon and Ben Davies.
A central midfield three of Joe Allen, Joe Morrell and Aaron Ramsey, with the Juventus man having license to roam forward, will be accompanied by the speed of Daniel James on the left and talisman Gareth Bale on the right. Striker Kieffer Moore is likely to return after he was rested against Italy due to suspension concerns.
Wales vs Denmark predicted line-ups: Euro 2020 team news ahead of fixture today
The Euro 2020 round of 16 starts today
Euro 2020: Wales vs Denmark
Gareth Bale says Wales will embrace the underdog role and are preparing to cause an upset with the majority of neutrals expected to support Denmark this afternoon.
The Danes’ progress to the last 16 was powered by a wave of support following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest during their Euro 2020 opener against Finland.
Eriksen is now recovering at home and Bale said he was aware that most football fans had adopted Denmark as their second team, but the Wales captain said his side were used to being unfavoured ahead of key matches.
“That’s normal anyway,” Bale said. “We’re always the underdogs and used to that tag. It doesn’t make a difference to us.
“Obviously we understand the situation that happened with them and we’ve sent all our best wishes to Christian. What a great job the Denmark team did with that. But it won’t have any bearing on the game.
“The players have been in situations before where teams are favourites and supported more. Against Turkey they had 18,000 fans in the stadium, so it makes no difference. When it comes to kick-off it will be just us players on the pitch focusing on the game.”
Gareth Bale insists Wales are used to underdogs tag ahead of Denmark clash
The Danes qualified for the knockout stage on a wave of emotion.
Euro 2020: Atmosphere building ahead of Wales vs Denmark
Denmark’s passionate home crowd were one of the sights of the Euro 2020 group stages, with the fans at the Parken Stadium roaring the national team on to their stunning 4-1 over Russia to qualify for the last 16.
Thousands of Denmark fans have been able to make the journey to Amsterdam ahead of their match against Wales – but they must leave the country within 12 hours of arrival to avoid having to quarantine. The same rules have not been applied to the Wales fans, however, who have been banned from entering the Netherlands as the UK is not on the country’s ‘safe travel’ list. Only a handful of Welsh supporters are expected to be in the stadium tonight.
The Independent’s Melissa Reddy is in Amsterdam for the knockout match this evening.
Euro 2020: Wales vs Denmark
Wales are taking on Denmark at the Amsterdam ArenA in the first match of the last 16 at Euro 2020 this afternoon. Wales finished second to Italy in Group A, while Denmark managed to bounce back from two defeats in their opening two games to finish as runners-up to Belgium in Group B.
Five years on from their memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Wales have a chance to create more happy memories after reaching the knockouts in successive tournaments. They lost 1-0 to Italy in their final group match thanks to Matteo Pessina’s goal, but the result sent Robert Page’s side through in second despite having to play 35 minutes with 10 men after Ethan Ampadu’s red card.
After a distressing opening game against Finland, in which Christian Eriksen collapsed, Kasper Hjulmand’s team bounced back from consecutive defeats to win 4-1 against Russia in Copenhagen. Goals from Mikkel Damsgaard, Yussuf Poulsen, Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle sealed an emotional win in front of thousands of home fans at the Parken Stadium. In making the last 16, Denmark became the first team in European Championship history to reach the knockout stages of the competition having lost their first two group games.
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