Denmark made a good start to the world cup with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay but Uruguay scored a magnificent Equaliser from a corner, the ball did not touch the floor once after the kick was taken and a volley from nearly 20 yards away into the top corner of the net from the right back put them back into the match. Then came a 1-1 all draw with new comers Senegal who had all ready managed to beat the current world champions, France 1-0. Then came their last match with France. France had to win by two clear goals to go through to the next stage but Denmark won 2-0 to send the reining champions to a humiliating first round exit and France were sent packing without scoring a single goal.
Denmark had won their group and England had come second in theirs, which put the two teams up against each other in the second phase.
England were to name an unchanged side with David Seamen in goal. Danny Mills, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, and Ashley Cole in defence. David Beckham (the captain), Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, and Trevor Sinclair in Midfield. And Emile Heskey and Michael Owen upfront. England will need the Defence to be strong and be at their best in order to control the speed of the Danes.
Denmark’s squad consisted of, Sorensen in goal, Henriksen, Laursen, Helveg, and N.Jensen in defence. Tofting, Gravesen, Gronkjaer, and Rommedahl in midfield and Tomasson and Sand upfront.
Match Report, Chronological order.
11.30am(in London) the injured Danish duo Jon Dahl Tomasson and Stig Tofting of Bolton were passed as fit to play.
12.30am Denmark Kick off.
2 (minutes into the match). David Seamen Touches the ball for the first time as he collects a cross from Tofting.
4 (minutes into the match). Martin Laursen needlessly concedes the games first corner. From David Beckham’s Flag-kick an unmarked Rio Ferdinand heads the ball across and Sunderland’s Thomas Sorensen Fumbles it into his own net
Denmark 0-1 England
15 (minutes into the match). Sorensen denies Heskey a second by saving at his feet after the striker forced his way passed Laursen.
23 (minutes into the match). Trevor Sinclair finds some space on the left and plays the ball to Nicky Butt whose flick finds Michael Owen, who calmly slots the ball past Sorensen to end his world cup goal drought and double the lead.
Denmark 0-2 England
27 (minutes into the match). Ebbe Sand misses a great chance to pull Denmark back into the game.
44 (minutes into the match). England are in dreamland as Beckham finds Heskey outside the area and fires home under Sorensen’s diving body.
Denmark 0-3 England
45 (minutes into the match). Gravesen tries his luck from 25 yards out forcing Seamen to turn the ball over for a corner.
End of The First half.
The rain has stopped as the teams emerge for the second half with Robbie Fowler replacing Michael Owen
45 (minutes into the match). England Kick-off.
48 (minutes into the match). England make another change as Kieron Dyer comes on to replace Paul Scholes.
50 (minutes into the match). Danny Mills gets booked.
56 (minutes into the match). Beckham decides to try his luck and fires a shot from nearly 30 yards out which forces Sorensen to tip over the curling, goalbound effort.
59 (minutes into the match). Seamen is caught out as Niclas Jensen’s shot bounces off his chest but Sol Campbell Quickly clears the danger.
65 (minutes into the match). Gravesen wins a corner after his shot is deflected past the post.
68 (minutes into the match). Teddy Sheringham makes another appearance as a substitute, for Heskey in order to receive his 50th cap.
69 (minutes into the match). Sheringham makes an almost instant impact, as he is involved in a move, which sees Sinclair head over.
79 (minutes into the match). Beckham is released inside the area on the right but his shot causes few problems for Sorensen.
89 (minutes into the match). Seamen makes a superb fingertip save to turn over a shot from Charlton’s Claus Jensen.
90 (minutes into the match). The 90-minute mark is reached and the celebrations start in the crowd.
92 (minutes into the match). The whistle blows and England have reached the world cup quarterfinals for the 7th time in their history.
The full match analysis
Michael Owen and Emile Heskey hit their first goals of the finals as a superb first half display earned a possible quarterfinal match against Brazil. Thomas Sorensen fumbled Rio Ferdinand’s header into his own net to put England ahead then Owen made it 2-0 after Butt flicked Sinclair’s pass.
Heskey made the game safe with a low shot from David Beckham’s long pass. Denmark rallied briefly after the break but England stayed on top to ease home.
Once again Rio Ferdinand proved that he is a world-class player and added to it with his goal. The ever-popular Ian Wright once again named nicky Butt a man of the match. Wrighty commented ‘Butt is doing miracles for England’.
England are now second favourites with odds of 7-2 to win the world cup. Beckham after the match said’ I don’t care who we play next’ as well as ‘but I would like to play Brazil’. Ferdinand quoted ‘ It is brilliant to be on the score sheet but it is even better to win’. Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell’s Connection in the centre of defence has been touted to be the best in the world cup and have been undefeated in all of their 18 matches together. Peter Reid said ‘If you keep clean sheets you will win’.
Ex-Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeicel said that he was disappointed to see Denmark go out but he would now like England to win the world cup.
The Danish manager Morten Olsen blamed his defence for all three goals that led to England’s victory.
After the match Sven Gordon Eriksson said ‘Michael has a groin injury but not a bad one, and Scholes has twisted his ankle but again not badly.’ Then he added ‘I think they will both be available for the next game’.
Chris from Leamington said ‘Nicky Butt man of the match, with him in the team we can’t lose.’ also Dave from Newcastle said ‘with Brazil’s dodgy defence, Football is coming home.’
Match Stats
Now we can all look forward to the Quarterfinal match with Brazil.