Euro 2012 Match Results: Denmark 2 – 3 Portugal

Match Report:

The opening exchanges between the two sides were heavy and slow with both teams not creating much and neither starting very well. Not a lot happens in the first 10-15 minutes with both teams beginning to probe, Pepe has been rolling around on the floor in pain but there was absolutely nothing wrong with him.

Portugal earn’t a goal from nothing as one of their probing attacks earns a corner which Pepe seems to have recovered sufficiently to produce a good header at the front post to put Portugal ahead in this Euro 2012 match. Portugal then controlled much of the match for the next 10 minutes calling the Danish keeper into action on a number of occasions.

Then 35 minutes in Helder Postiga finished expertly after a good cross by Nani, firing the ball in from 5 yards out right into the top corner of the goal. Excellent finish but Denmark almost reply instantly, 5 minutes later they do equalise with Nicolas Bendtner nods in from no less than a yard out. A really well worked goal from the Danish and the first half ends 2 – 1 to Portugal.

The second half gets underway and Portugal have a golden opportunity when the Danish defence makes a mistake and Cristiano Ronaldo goes through on goal one on one with the keeper, a defender rushing back forces Ronaldo to rush his shot from the edge of the area which is too near the keeper and its a relatively easy save.

Around the 65 minute mark Portugal replace their striker Postiga with Olivera as they look to force another goal and consolidate their lead. In truth the first part of the second half has slowed down and the game is far from being one of the best of the tournament.

As the second half progresses both teams come more into the game and seem to be more of an attacking threat. Nicolas Bendtner had a good chance working the ball onto his weaker foot and shooting wide, while Olivera also had a shot saved at the other end.

WHAT A MISS, Cristiano Ronaldo was straight through one on one with the danish keeper and he puts the ball more than a yard right of the right post. You would put have put your house on him scoring their in the 78th minute of the game.

80 Minutes in a Nicolas Bendtner scores his second header of the game and what a great header it was to. Ronaldo looks to be ruing his missed opportunity as Portugal try and push for a reply to the Danish goal. The last 10 minutes the game stood at 2 – 2 and the game looked to be heating up a little, Portugal really piling on the pressure.

With 5 minutes remaining Portugal really piling on the pressure as all the players are camped in the Danish half. One minute later and absolute beauty of a goal from the edge of the area, Varela the substitute rifles in to put the Portuguese back on top.

There were 4 minutes of extra time in this game and Denmark are pressuring Portugal forcing then back to their own area. Portugal looked very nervy towards the end but they just managed to hold on to their lead. The final result is Denmark 2 – Portugal 3.

The referee was Craig Thomson of Scotland and he and his officials didn’t put a foot wrong