Denmark v Germany

Denmark 1

Krohn-Delhi 25′

Germany 2

Podolski 19′ Bender 80′

FT 90 +4
HT 1-1

Euro 2012 highlights: Denmark 1-2 Germany

By Ben Smith BBC Sport

Lars Bender scored the winner 10 minutes from time as Germany took their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as convincing winners of Group B.

The 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player poked in late on to end Denmark's dream of repeating their heroics of 1992.

Germany had taken a 19th-minute lead through Lukas Podolski, only for Michael Krohn-Dehli to head in six minutes later and give Denmark hope.

Euro 2012: Germany's Bender ends Denmark hopes

Germany, who qualify with a 100% record, play Greece in the last eight.

For much of this game, this was a dominant display by Germany, inspired by Sami Khedira's midfield generalship, Thomas Mueller's prodigious work on the wings and a workrate and ambition that glowed throughout the team.

The long journeys from Germany's team base in Poland to Ukraine have not gone down well with the squad but having topped the group with victory in Lviv, they have earned a quarter-final in Gdansk, the city where they are based.

The last time Denmark and Germany met in a competitive fixture had been memorable for very different reasons. The final of the 1992 European Championship saw the Danes, late replacements for the banned Yugoslavia, beat the Germans in the final to complete one of the most surprising tournament victories in history.

Denmark have struggled to escape the shadow of that victory ever since but with the sublime young talents such as Christian Eriksen in the side there was a sense of optimism that 20 years on the seemingly impossible might just be possible all over again.

Germany were in no mood for a repeat, however. For long periods of this match Joachim Loew's side were untouchable in possession with Mueller and Bastian Schweinsteiger dictating from midfield.

Whether breaking past an opponent from wide on the right flank, or erupting with dramatic suddenness through the middle of a defence, Mueller's early runs were an exhilarating blend of grace and devastation.

The Bayern Munich midfielder was a constant danger, but twice in the early moments he spurned good chances, failing to make clean contact when the ball broke to him six yards from goal and shooting narrowly over with the goal at his mercy.

It was no surprise when Mueller created the opening goal for Germany, exchanging passes with Mesut Ozil, before cutting the ball back across the penalty area from the right where Podolski thumped it ruthlessly beyond Denmark goalkeeper Stephan Andersen.

It was the perfect way to celebrate becoming the youngest European player, at the age of 27, to reach 100 caps.

Denmark were bystanders for much of the opening period, unable to prevent or disrupt the German passing carousel and relying on intermittent long-range attacks. But what became clear quite quickly was their dominance at set-pieces.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner had won an early header in the penalty area and when he rose again to meet Lars Jacobsen's 23rd-minute corner, Germany were found wanting. The Dane rose majestically to direct the ball back across goal, where Krohn-Dehli headed it decisively beyond Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

But while Denmark visibly grew in confidence after the goal, Germany continued to dominate. Mario Gomez was always on hand to provide the German attack with a focal point and might have done better on two occasions before half-time when the ball broke kindly to him.

Euro 2012: Podolski scores on 100th appearance

Khedira was also guilty of wastefulness, exchanging passes with Gomez only to prod the ball wide with the outside of his right foot when the ball broke to him.

Denmark were, however, unbowed. Starved of possession and chasing shadows, the clenched fist of their coach Morten Olsen at half-time said it all.

It had been a gesture of unexpected defiance in the face of German domination and his time almost responded.

Denmark looked a different side early in the second half and should have snatched an unlikely lead when Bendtner collected Simon Poulsen's clever pass in the penalty box before laying the ball off to Jakob Poulsen, who skimmed the outside of the post with his low shot.

The fluency Germany had found for long periods was being disrupted by a Denmark side that tackled, battled and denied space, their uncomplicated, direct approach putting their more celebrated opponents under serious duress.

The introduction of Bayern Leverkusen striker Andre Schuerrle appeared to help Germany regain their dynamism, however. The 21-year-old almost made an immediate impact, gathering Khedira's delightfully-weighted pass before directing a fierce, low shot across goal which Andersen did well to push to safety.

Germany by the numbers

Lukas Podolski has become the youngest European player to reach 100 caps.
Germany were playing with their youngest line-up in a European Championship match with an average of 25 years and 107 days.
This is the first time Germany have completed a European Championship group stage with a 100% record.
Source: Opta Sports

Bendtner was unfortunate moments later when he stretched to lift a shot high into Neuer's hands, while Germany defender Holger Badstuber pulled at his shirt.

But with Denmark tiring, Bender broke forward covering 60 yards to take advantage of Simon Poulsen's slip and roll the ball beyond Andersen. It was the youngster's first goal for Germany on his first start for his country and the moment that decided the outcome of Group B.

Agger rose high above Badstuber to head over as Denmark continued to push but the chance had gone and the dream was over.

For Germany, it remains very much alive.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (5)

Denmark

01 Andersen
03 Kjaer
04 Agger
05 S Poulsen
06 Jacobsen
07 Kvist
08 Eriksen
19 J Poulsen (Mikkelsen - 82' )
21 Zimling (C Poulsen - 78' )
09 Krohn-Delhi
11 Bendtner

Substitutes

16 Lindegaard
22 Schmeichel
12 Bjelland
18 Wass
02 C Poulsen
13 Okore
14 Schone
15 Silberbauer
20 Kahlenberg
10 Rommedahl
17 Pedersen
23 Mikkelsen

Germany

01 Neuer
05 Hummels
14 Badstuber
16 Lahm
06 Khedira
07 Schweinsteiger
08 Ozil
13 Mueller (Kroos - 84' )
15 Bender
10 Podolski (Schurrle - 64' )
23 Gomez (Klose - 74' )

Substitutes

12 Wiese
22 Zieler
03 Schmelzer
04 Howedes
17 Mertesacker
02 Gundogan
09 Schurrle
18 Kroos
19 Gotze
21 Reus
11 Klose

Ref: Carlos Velasco Carballo

Att: 35,000

Match Stats

Possession 43 57

Shots

9 12

On target

5 6

Corners

5 3

Fouls

7 4

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:07 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +2:28

Daniel Agger is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Neuer.

90:00 +2:07

The assistant referee signals for offside against Andre Schurrle. Stephan Andersen restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:22

The assistant referee signals for offside against Miroslav Klose. Stephan Andersen takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Christian Poulsen on Miroslav Klose. Bastian Schweinsteiger produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

88:21

Michael Krohn-Delhi is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Manuel Neuer takes the direct free kick.

85:46

The referee blows for offside against Simon Poulsen. Free kick taken by Manuel Neuer.

82:56 Substitution

Substitution Thomas Muller goes off and Toni Kroos comes on.

82:56

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Lars Jacobsen, Header on goal by Daniel Agger from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

81:39 Substitution

Substitution Jakob Poulsen goes off and Tobias Mikkelsen comes on.

79:38

Assist by Mesut Ozil.

79:38

Assist by Andre Schurrle.

79:38 Goal scored

Goal - Lars Bender - Denmark 1 - 2 Germany A goal is scored by Lars Bender from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Denmark 1-2 Germany.

77:51 Substitution

Substitution Niki Zimling leaves the field to be replaced by Christian Poulsen.

76:16

The ball is delivered by Thomas Muller, Daniel Agger makes a clearance.

75:03

The assistant referee flags for offside against Miroslav Klose. Direct free kick taken by Nicklas Bendtner.

73:14 Substitution

Substitution (Germany) makes a substitution, with Miroslav Klose coming on for Mario Gomez.