Denmark secured their spot in the Euro 2024 last 16 by finishing second in Group C, thanks to a better disciplinary record than Slovenia after a lackluster 0-0 draw with Serbia. This match, held in Munich, failed to live up to the potential of both teams. Despite the draw, Denmark and Slovenia advance, while Serbia is eliminated without a group win.
Denmark’s Performance
Denmark’s overall performance was underwhelming. They had an identical record to Slovenia, necessitating a tiebreaker based on the number of yellow cards received. Denmark emerged slightly better in this aspect.
Key Moments for Denmark
- Jonas Wind’s Disallowed Goal: In the first half, Jonas Wind thought he had scored, but the goal was disallowed as the ball had gone out of play before he bundled it over the line.
- Missed Opportunities: Wind also missed a clear chance after slipping, leading to his substitution at halftime. Other notable opportunities included Alexander Bah’s header and Christian Eriksen’s shot, which was parried behind for a corner.
- Lack of Ruthlessness: Denmark’s pragmatic approach, knowing a draw was sufficient, led to a lack of offensive aggression. Jannik Vestergaard’s header at Serbia’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic was one of the few notable efforts in the second half.
Serbia’s Struggles
Serbia needed a win to progress but failed to deliver under pressure, resulting in their elimination.
Key Moments for Serbia
- Disallowed Goal: Serbia’s Luka Jovic had a goal ruled out for offside after his shot bounced in off Denmark defender Joachim Anderson.
- Late Efforts: In stoppage time, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had chances, but only managed one shot on target.
- Fan Frustration: Serbian fans expressed their disappointment by jeering and throwing plastic cups onto the pitch, causing play to be halted twice.
Manager Reactions
- Kasper Hjulmand (Denmark Manager): Hjulmand expressed satisfaction with the result, highlighting the importance of progressing and the upcoming match against Germany. “We are representing Danish football and we have to be happy about it,” he said. “Playing against Germany with the Danish team – it cannot be better. I can’t wait.”
- Dragan Stojkovic (Serbia Manager): Stojkovic lamented the narrow margin that determined their fate. “Tonight we were very equal. The luck was on the other side. We haven’t won. That’s the end of the story.”
Looking Ahead
Denmark will face tournament hosts Germany in the next round, a challenging yet exciting matchup. However, they will be without key midfielder Morten Hjulmand due to suspension after picking up a second booking in the group stage.
While the match between Denmark and Serbia lacked excitement and quality, it concluded the group stage with Denmark advancing thanks to their superior disciplinary record. Serbia exits the tournament with regrets, having failed to secure a single win. Denmark now prepares for a high-stakes encounter with Germany, aiming to continue their Euro 2024 journey.
