In the 1/8 finals of Euro 2024, the host German team faced Denmark, which has always been known as the "Nordic Brazil". The Danish side may not match Brazil's footballing talent, but their outstanding performances in the past few tournaments have made them widely regarded as dark horses. As the hosts, the German team has a number of world-class stars, and the outside world is widely regarded as the favorites for this match. There is a huge disparity in the strength of the two teams, after the dust settles in this 1/8 final, who can have the last laugh?
In the 35th minute of the first half, there was a sudden flash of lightning and thunder, and the referee had to temporarily stop the game. After a short 20-minute break, the two teams returned to the pitch to continue playing. Such a sudden "weather factor" undoubtedly had a certain impact on the rhythm and state of both teams. However, for the battle-hardened German and Danish teams, dealing with such unexpected situations is commonplace. This battle is destined to be an extraordinary contest.
Entering the second half, the battle between the two sides entered a white heat. In the 50th minute, Danish player Anderson took the lead in breaking the deadlock with a follow-up shot in the penalty area, giving the Danes a glimpse of victory. However, after a VAR confirmation, the referee ruled that Anderson was in an offside position and cancelled the goal. The dazed and confused look on Anderson's face makes people sigh that he has experienced the whole process from "heaven to hell" in just 5 minutes.
In the subsequent semi-automatic offside judgment, the data showed that Anderson was not offside at that time, but the former German player Delaney crossed the line on tiptoe and caused a misjudgment. It's a pity that this misjudgment can't be changed, and Anderson's goal was swallowed up in vain. Immediately afterwards, Denmark was awarded a penalty for a handball foul. Germany star Kai Havertz hit the penalty to put the score in check. This five-minute dramatic reversal completely changed the trend of the game, and the Danish team, which had an advantage, suddenly became a loser. It can be said that luck was on the side of the German team at this crucial moment.
After that, the German team still missed some great chances, but in the end they won 2-0 against Denmark with a goal from Musiala in the 68th minute to advance to the quarter-finals. This game can be described as magnificent and full of dramatic conflicts. Although the German team has the upper hand, it remains to be seen whether they can continue to move forward with luck. What is certain, however, is that this match was definitely one of the best scenes of this European Cup.
Of course, there are also some controversial issues that have arisen in this game. Many fans questioned that relying on high-tech means such as VAR and semi-automatic offside turned the game into fragments, which seriously affected the smoothness and enjoyment of the game.
We have to admit that these technical means did change the tempo of the game to some extent. But at the same time, they are also minimizing human intervention and ensuring that the game is fair and impartial. This contradiction undoubtedly brings new challenges to modern football. We must strike a balance between the pursuit of fairness and spectacle, and let technology work for football, not the other way around.
In this unforgettable 1/8 final, the German team finally defeated Denmark's stubborn opponent by itself. Despite the drama, the Germans showed great strength and determination to win.
In the next round, Germany will play the winner of Spain and Georgia. As hosts, will they be able to continue to take advantage of the right time and place to win the European Championship? This is undoubtedly an exciting question. Let's wait and see what the German team will do!