Pre-match Prediction : A huge game for both nations this evening as Denmark can put themselves on the verge of a Quarter-Final place. Portugal need a win to keep themselves alive.
The Danes had a fantastic win over the Dutch. Very few people expected it but Denmark set themselves up well, took their chance when it came and had some luck on their side when Holland probably should have done better with their chances. Agger & particular Kjaer were impressive at the back. Brondby star Krohn-Delhi who got the goal was also impressive & I will be watching him closely in tonights game.
Portugal had an up and down game against Germany. They rode their luck a bit with Germany missing a few chances but once they went behind they could count themselves unlucky not to have got an equaliser. The Portugeese squad is full of a lot of individually talented players but they need to regroup & get their tournament back on track tonight.
I have lost count of the amount of times I have saw a team slip up after a massive victory. The Danes had a massive win on Saturday & it is a huge ask for the Danes to contain Portugal just 4 days later. This Portugal team have the best player in the tournament in Cristiano Ronaldo and tonight is the night he has to prove it.
Denmark 0-2 Portugal
Post-match Verdict : Portugal just managed to edge out the Danes to keep their destiny in their own hands.
Portugal got off to a great start with goals from Pepe and Postiga giving them a 2-0 first half lead. At this stage they were cruising but slackness at the back let Bendtner reduce the deficit before half-time.
Portugal again started the second half in the ascendency and really should have been further head but superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo twice fluffed his lines when presented with a one on one opportunity with the Danish goalkeeper. Seconds after Ronaldo's second miss, the Danes were level with Bendtner finishing off a superb cross from Jacobsen.
At this point the Portugeese must have been cursing their luck as they had been by far the better team but there was time for one more goal and it was Portugal's Varela who got it. After swinging wildly with his left foot the ball ricocheted back into his path and he swung the right foot at it and he found the bottom corner.
Portugal were the better team but will need more help from their defence and Cristiano Ronaldo if they wish to make any impression on this tournament.
The Danes looked very much like a team who had put in 110% four days earlier and were playing more or less on empty. Having said that when they got their chances they took them and almost stole a point but in the end it was Portugal who had that little bit of extra luck at the end.
Next up for Portugal is a clash with struggling, Holland. If Portugal win they are still not guaranteed qualification. If Denmark beat Germany 4-3, 5-4 etc and Portugal beat Holland 1-0, the Portugeese could go out although it would be quite unlikely.
For Denmark it's a clash with group leaders Germany. Germany only require a point to guarantee their place as group winners but as they are still not guaranteed of a Quarter-Final place I cannot see them tinkering with the team. Denmark need to better Portugal's result to guarantee a Quarter-Final place.
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