De Bruyne inspired Belgium come from behind to beat resilient Denmark

Belgium have all but secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2020 after Kevin De Bruyne returned from injury to help his side come from behind to beat Denmark 2-1.

The Manchester City midfielder once more displayed his undeniable quality by coming off the bench at half-time and playing a major part in both goals, after recovering from the acute nose bone fracture he suffered in the Champions League final.

De Bruyne linked up with Romelu Lukaku in the 54th minute as the Inter Milan striker powered through on goal before finding his former Chelsea teammate who took three defenders out of the game with an exceptional first touch before setting up Thorgan Hazard for a tap in to equalize.

More brilliant work from Lukaku led to the Red Devils taking the lead, as he retrieved the ball from the byline and managed to beat three defenders before an intricate piece of play saw Eden Hazard provide the assist for De Bruyne who struck sweetly into the bottom corner.

A second-half fightback was drastically needed from Roberto Martinez’s side after Denmark looked set to upset the odds after Yussuf Poulsen opened the scoring just two minutes in.

It was a nightmare start for Lyon centre-back Jason Denayer, as he lost possession on the edge of the penalty and then vacated the space picked up by Poulsen who drilled emphatically found the bottom corner to put Kasper Hjulmand’s men one goal to the good.

If truth be told, Denmark should have doubled their advantage. Firstly, wing-back Joakim Mæhle wriggled past Thomas Meunier and Toby Alderweireld before his close-range effort was smothered by Thibaut Courtois.

Daniel Wass failed to make the most of a free header in the penalty area after being picked out by Mæhle as the Celta Vigo man neither meaningfully troubled Courtois nor picked out a teammate across goal.

Mikkel Damsgaard then went close after cutting inside from the left but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the far post.

The remarkable first-half Danish performance was even more impressive given the traumatic events that followed the 41st minute of their clash against Finland, where midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.

With Eriksen expected to make a full recovery thanks to the phenomenal efforts of teammates and medical staff, the Inter Milan star would have felt immense pride at watching how his side go went about their business and provided one of the best teams in the world with an immense challenge.

Supporters, both sets players, management and officials all did Eriksen proud by joining in an impeccably observed 10th-minute applause in tribute to the former Tottenham Hotspur man.

Denmark were worthy of a point and so nearly got one when Martin Brathwaite’s header rebounded off the crossbar after being found by Andreas Skov Olsen with Courtois stranded.

Whilst Belgium will head into the knockout stages as one of the favourites to win the tournament, Denmark’s hopes are now hanging by a thread with their most likely route of progression being one the best third-placed sides.

Martinez will presumably rotate members of his squad for their final group stage game against Finland, with Hjulmand desperately in need of a win despite winning plenty of admirers.

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