Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark
- From the section Euro 2012
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Michael Krohn-Dehli's expertly taken first-half strike earned Denmark a shock win against a Netherlands side who missed a host of chances.
Krohn-Dehli drifted away from two defenders to fire home the winner.
But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits.
Robben came closest when he shot against the post and the Danes survived a late handball appeal against Lars Jacobsen to hold on for victory.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen's pre-match warning that the Netherlands were simply better than his side could easily have been dismissed as mind games.
But for long spells of the opening Group B encounter at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, the reality backed up Olsen's fears and the Danes struggled.
Netherlands, one of the pre-tournament favourites, combined their undoubted guile, creativity, pace and attacking quality with midfield grit and organisation.
Robben and Van Persie provided the cutting edge, and they had a series of opportunities to put Bert van Marwijk's side ahead before the Danes took the lead.
Van Persie, who scored 36 goals for Arsenal last season, sidefooted the first opening wide after a good early Robben run and Van Persie teed up a headed chance for Wesley Sneijder.
Robben and Van Persie then combined brilliantly on the right only for the Bayern Munich winger to fail to pick out one of two team-mates in the middle.
Sneijder also sent a header wide and as the pressure mounted, a Dutch goal looked inevitable.
But the Danes remained resolute in defence - largely thanks to a spirited display by captain Daniel Agger - and they went ahead with their first meaningful attack.
Krohn-Dehli took advantage of a lucky bounce of the ball after a battling run on the left flank by Simon Poulsen, dummied two defenders and shot low through goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's legs after 24 minutes.
Niki Zimling did have a chance to double the lead soon after, but failed to properly connect with a difficult volleyed effort.
That was, however, a brief interlude to a series of Dutch attacks.
Robben curled an effort against the foot of the post from the edge of the box after being gifted the ball by an abysmal clearance from keeper Stephan Andersen.
And Netherlands, backed by a typically noisy and colourful travelling support, started the second period in blistering fashion and could have had four goals within 10 minutes
Robben shot over after cutting in from the left, and Van Persie miskicked dreadfully when in a good position and was also unlucky with another low effort.
Mark van Bommel also went close with a fizzing 25-yard strike that drew a superb save from Andersen.
At the other end, goalscorer Krohn-Dehli's 20-yard strike brought a fine stop from Stekelenburg.
And, although the Dutch started to look increasingly frustrated, they still created chances.
Johnny Heitinga headed over, substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - left out of the starting line-up despite scoring 12 goals in qualifying - went through on goal but was denied by some alert and brave goalkeeping, and Huntelaar also had a decent claim for a penalty dismissed.
Defender Jacobsen handled the ball while under pressure from Huntelaar, but referee Damir Skomina waved away the Dutch appeals.
The Danes held firm and now have a great opportunity to progress to the quarter-finals, while the Dutch - runners-up at the last World Cup - must win at least one of their remaining two fixtures, against either Germany or Portugal, to have any hope.
Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)
Netherlands
- 01 Stekelenburg
- 02 Van Der Wiel (Kuyt - 84' )
- 03 Heitinga
- 13 Vlaar
- 15 Willems
- 06 Van Bommel Booked
- 08 De Jong (Van der Vaart - 71' )
- 10 Sneijder
- 11 Robben
- 16 Van Persie
- 20 Afellay (Huntelaar - 71' )
Substitutes
- 12 Vorm
- 22 Krul
- 04 Mathijsen
- 05 Bouma
- 21 Boulahrouz
- 14 Schaars
- 17 Strootman
- 23 Van der Vaart
- 07 Kuyt
- 09 Huntelaar
- 18 De Jong
- 19 Narsingh
Denmark
- 01 Andersen
- 03 Kjaer
- 04 Agger
- 05 S Poulsen Booked
- 06 Jacobsen
- 07 Kvist Booked
- 08 Eriksen (Schone - 74' )
- 21 Zimling
- 09 Krohn-Delhi
- 10 Rommedahl (Mikkelsen - 83' )
- 11 Bendtner
Substitutes
- 16 Lindegaard
- 22 Schmeichel
- 12 Bjelland
- 18 Wass
- 02 C Poulsen
- 13 Okore
- 14 Schone
- 15 Silberbauer
- 19 J Poulsen
- 20 Kahlenberg
- 17 Pedersen
- 23 Mikkelsen
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00 +2:39The ball is crossed by Mark Van Bommel, Lars Jacobsen makes a clearance.
90:00 +2:27The ball is delivered by Dirk Kuyt, clearance by William Kvist Jorgensen.
90:00 +2:11Nicklas Bendtner crosses the ball, Jetro Willems manages to make a clearance.
90:00 +1:33The ball is swung over by Wesley Sneijder, Header on goal by Robin van Persie from just inside the area goes over the goal.
90:00 +0:26Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Wesley Sneijder, Header from close in by Johnny Heitinga misses to the right of the goal.
87:31Dirk Kuyt delivers the ball, Stephan Andersen makes a save.
83:51 SubstitutionSubstitution Dirk Kuyt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Gregory Van Der Wiel.
82:59 SubstitutionSubstitution Tobias Mikkelsen is brought on as a substitute for Dennis Rommedahl.
82:12A cross is delivered by Wesley Sneijder, Stephan Andersen makes a save.
80:47Direct free kick taken by Mark Van Bommel. Centre by Wesley Sneijder.
80:47 BookingBooking Booking for William Kvist Jorgensen for unsporting behaviour.
80:44Handball decision goes against William Kvist Jorgensen.
78:58Arjen Robben has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
78:40Lars Jacobsen delivers the ball, Gregory Van Der Wiel makes a clearance.
78:14Wesley Sneijder produces a cross, Daniel Agger makes a clearance.
77:00 BookingBooking Booking for Simon Poulsen for time wasting.
76:30Wesley Sneijder crosses the ball, clearance by William Kvist Jorgensen.
76:13Corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, save by Stephan Andersen.
76:03Centre by Gregory Van Der Wiel, Michael Krohn-Delhi gets a block in.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar takes a shot. Save by Stephan Andersen. Stephan Andersen fouled by Robin van Persie, the ref awards a free kick. Stephan Andersen restarts play with the free kick.
72:48 SubstitutionSubstitution Lasse Schone on for Christian Eriksen.
72:48Shot by Rafael Van der Vaart from outside the box goes over the net.
72:23Corner taken right-footed by Wesley Sneijder from the left by-line, save by Stephan Andersen.
72:18The ball is sent over by Rafael Van der Vaart, Lars Jacobsen makes a clearance.
71:46Christian Eriksen challenges Mark Van Bommel unfairly and gives away a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the direct free kick.
70:37Corner taken by Michael Krohn-Delhi.
70:01 SubstitutionSubstitution Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is brought on as a substitute for Ibrahim Afellay.
70:01 SubstitutionSubstitution Rafael Van der Vaart on for Nigel De Jong.
69:48Michael Krohn-Delhi takes a shot. Save by Maarten Stekelenburg.
68:51Jetro Willems produces a cross, blocked by Lars Jacobsen.
67:53Corner taken by Michael Krohn-Delhi from the left by-line, Ron Vlaar makes a clearance.
67:38Dennis Rommedahl delivers the ball, clearance by Gregory Van Der Wiel.
67:07Lars Jacobsen produces a cross, Gregory Van Der Wiel manages to make a clearance.
65:57Daniel Agger takes the free kick.
65:57 BookingBooking Mark Van Bommel is cautioned.
65:54Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Niki Zimling by Mark Van Bommel.
64:10Arjen Robben has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
63:40The ball is swung over by Lars Jacobsen, clearance by Johnny Heitinga.
62:46Wesley Sneijder delivers the ball, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Arjen Robben misses to the left of the goal.
61:06Jetro Willems fouled by Lars Jacobsen, the ref awards a free kick. Wesley Sneijder crosses the ball in from the free kick. The official flags Johnny Heitinga offside. Free kick taken by Stephan Andersen.
60:57Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel De Jong by William Kvist Jorgensen. Direct free kick taken by Ron Vlaar.
59:42Inswinging corner taken by Wesley Sneijder from the left by-line, Stephan Andersen makes a save.
58:34A cross is delivered by Mark Van Bommel.
57:37Wesley Sneijder fouled by William Kvist Jorgensen, the ref awards a free kick. Strike comes in from Wesley Sneijder from the free kick.
56:55Lars Jacobsen produces a cross.
55:14Nicklas Bendtner takes a shot. Blocked by Johnny Heitinga.
54:07Niki Zimling decides to take a short corner.
52:38Arjen Robben takes the inswinging corner, Close range header by Johnny Heitinga goes over the crossbar.
52:18Arjen Robben decides to take a short corner. Mark Van Bommel sends in a cross, Simon Poulsen gets a block in.
52:13The ball is swung over by Ibrahim Afellay, Simon Poulsen gets a block in.
51:20Ibrahim Afellay has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
50:34Short corner worked by Wesley Sneijder. The ball is crossed by Wesley Sneijder, William Kvist Jorgensen gets a block in. The ball is swung over by Wesley Sneijder, clearance made by Nicklas Bendtner. Shot from 20 yards by Ibrahim Afellay. Simon Kjaer gets a block in.
50:20Mark Van Bommel has an effort at goal. Save by Stephan Andersen.
49:22Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Van Bommel by Christian Eriksen. Mark Van Bommel takes the free kick. Robin van Persie takes a shot. Comfortable save by Stephan Andersen.
47:22Corner taken by Wesley Sneijder played to the near post, Robin van Persie has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.
47:07Arjen Robben takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Krohn-Delhi.
45:01The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +1:05 Half timeHalf Time The referee calls an end to the first half.
45:00 +0:39Unfair challenge on Wesley Sneijder by Michael Krohn-Delhi results in a free kick. Mark Van Bommel takes the free kick.
44:16Outswinging corner taken by Michael Krohn-Delhi from the right by-line, Nicklas Bendtner takes a shot. Maarten Stekelenburg makes a comfortable save.
44:11The ball is swung over by Lars Jacobsen, blocked by Jetro Willems.
42:20Wesley Sneijder has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target.
42:08Robin van Persie takes a shot. Save by Stephan Andersen.
41:27Effort on goal by Michael Krohn-Delhi from 20 yards. Save made by Maarten Stekelenburg.
39:40The ball is sent over by Lars Jacobsen, Niki Zimling produces a volleyed left-footed shot from 18 yards. Blocked by Johnny Heitinga.
38:23Shot from just outside the area by Ibrahim Afellay goes over the bar.
37:24Free kick awarded for a foul by Johnny Heitinga on Nicklas Bendtner. Direct free kick taken by Simon Poulsen.
35:46The ball is delivered by Gregory Van Der Wiel.
35:24Effort from the edge of the box by Arjen Robben hits the post.
34:18Simon Poulsen crosses the ball.
33:58The ball is delivered by Michael Krohn-Delhi, Jetro Willems makes a clearance.
33:48The ball is swung over by Dennis Rommedahl.
32:40Dennis Rommedahl produces a cross, save made by Maarten Stekelenburg.
31:23Lars Jacobsen is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jetro Willems.
30:18Simon Poulsen sends in a cross.
28:17Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Arjen Robben played to the near post, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Ron Vlaar misses to the left of the goal.
28:12The ball is sent over by Arjen Robben, Simon Poulsen gets a block in.
27:39Robin van Persie delivers the ball, Daniel Agger manages to make a clearance.
26:19Unfair challenge on Mark Van Bommel by Christian Eriksen results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Johnny Heitinga.
25:27Lars Jacobsen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ibrahim Afellay. Ibrahim Afellay restarts play with the free kick.
23:29 Goal scoredGoal! - Michael Krohn-Delhi - Neth'lands 0 - 1 Denmark Michael Krohn-Delhi scores a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Holland 0-1 Denmark.
22:09Effort from inside the area by Robin van Persie misses to the left of the goal.
20:36Centre by Dennis Rommedahl, Johnny Heitinga makes a clearance.
20:19Dennis Rommedahl fouled by Jetro Willems, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Dennis Rommedahl.
19:46Corner taken right-footed by Wesley Sneijder, save made by Stephan Andersen.
19:41The ball is sent over by Wesley Sneijder, clearance made by Daniel Agger.
18:54The assistant referee flags for offside against Dennis Rommedahl. Free kick taken by Jetro Willems.
17:44Arjen Robben sends in a cross, clearance by Lars Jacobsen.
16:08The ball is delivered by Dennis Rommedahl, save by Maarten Stekelenburg.
15:40Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicklas Bendtner by Arjen Robben. Christian Eriksen takes the direct free kick.
15:15Arjen Robben takes a shot. Save by Stephan Andersen.
12:40Wesley Sneijder takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Simon Kjaer. Shot by Mark Van Bommel from outside the box goes high over the crossbar.
11:39Free kick awarded for a foul by Niki Zimling on Robin van Persie. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Robin van Persie.
10:29The ball is crossed by Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder takes a shot.
9:29Effort on goal by Ibrahim Afellay from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.
7:31Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicklas Bendtner by Ron Vlaar. Shot comes in from Christian Eriksen from the free kick.
6:40Arjen Robben delivers the ball, clearance made by Simon Kjaer. Effort from deep inside the area by Robin van Persie misses to the left of the goal.
5:28Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Wesley Sneijder by Niki Zimling. Arjen Robben restarts play with the free kick.
5:07Mark Van Bommel fouled by Christian Eriksen, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Johnny Heitinga.
4:26A cross is delivered by Arjen Robben. Effort from deep inside the area by Ibrahim Afellay misses to the right of the goal.
2:25Jetro Willems produces a left-footed shot from long range that goes harmlessly over the bar.
0:43Free kick awarded for a foul by Nigel De Jong on Lars Jacobsen. A cross is delivered by Simon Poulsen, Daniel Agger takes a shot. Comfortable save by Maarten Stekelenburg.
0:00The referee gets the match started.
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