Denmark Advances to Last 16 Despite Draw with Serbia

Denmark secured their place in the last 16 of the tournament as they finished second in Group C, edging out Slovenia on the basis of a superior disciplinary record after a lackluster draw with Serbia. In a match where neither side showcased their potential, Denmark emerged slightly ahead in Munich.

Both Denmark and Slovenia ended the group stage with identical records, necessitating a tiebreaker based on yellow cards. While both teams received six yellow cards on the pitch, Slovenia’s additional booking of their coach, which UEFA does not count in disciplinary statistics, tilted the balance in Denmark’s favor.

The match itself was characterized by missed opportunities and defensive solidity from Denmark. Jonas Wind had a goal disallowed in the first half, and despite creating several chances, Denmark struggled to break the deadlock convincingly. Serbia, needing a win to advance following Slovenia’s draw with England, managed just one shot on target throughout the game.

The atmosphere grew tense as Serbia’s hopes faded, marked by frustration among their supporters, evident in thrown objects onto the pitch that briefly halted play. Denmark remained composed, knowing a draw was sufficient to progress. Jannik Vestergaard came closest for Denmark with a header saved by Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, as the Danes controlled possession without taking significant risks in the latter stages.

Denmark’s coach Kasper Hjulmand expressed satisfaction with the result, acknowledging the challenge of facing tournament hosts Germany in the next round. Reflecting on the group stage, Hjulmand highlighted the competitiveness that saw all Group C teams draw all their matches, emphasizing the slim margins that determined advancement.

Despite key players like Morten Hjulmand facing suspension for the upcoming match due to accumulated bookings, Denmark remains optimistic about their prospects in the knockout phase against Germany.