De Bruyne inspires Belgium into Euro last 16 against emotional Danes
Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench to assist Belgium's equalizer then score the winner himself as they defeated an emotional Denmark 2-1 to reach the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Thursday.
- Sports
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 08:59 | 17 June 2021
- Modified Date: 09:06 | 17 June 2021
Denmark scored the second-fastest goal in European Championship history but Belgium advanced to the knockout stages after Kevin de Bruyne orchestrated a 2-1 comeback victory in their Group B match on Thursday.
Denmark had the perfect start when midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg intercepted the ball to feed an unmarked Yussuf Poulsen, who arrowed a right-footed shot into the bottom corner with 99 seconds on the clock.
Belgium were poor in the first half but equalised nine minutes into the second from a counter-attack when Romelu Lukaku used his power to drive the ball forward and found De Bruyne, who squared the ball for Thorgan Hazard to score with a tap-in.
De Bruyne then broke Danish hearts when he gave Belgium the lead in the 70th minute, receiving the ball at the edge of the box from a slick passing move and firing a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Belgium have a maximum six points from two games, while Denmark are bottom of the group after two losses. Russia and Finland have three points each after two games.