
Key events:
There are four changes for Denmark from the 1-0 win over Finland, with Nadia Nadim and Signe Bruun among those left out. Simone Boye Sorensen, Karen Holmgaard, Rikke Madsen and the brilliant teenager Kathrine Kuhl come in for Sara Thrige, Sanne Troelsgaard, Nadim and Bruun. Just the one change for Spain – Athenea del Castillo replaces Laia Aleixandri. That will mean a slight rejig, with Mariona Caldentey probably dropping into midfield. Denmark (possible 3-4-3) Christensen; Ballisager, Boye, Sevecke; Thomsen, K Holmgaard, Junge, Veje; Madsen, Harder, Kuhl. Spain (possible 4-1-2-3) Panos; Batlle, Paredes, Leon, Ouahabi; Bonmati, Patri, Mariona; S Garcia, L Garcia, Athenea. Referee Rebecca Welch (Britain) The knockout phase of Euro 2022 officially begins on Wednesday. In reality, it’s well under way. Austria beat Norway in a Group A eliminator last night, and now Spain play Denmark for the right to meet England in the quarter-finals. Both teams have beaten Finland and lost to Germany, but Spain’s goal difference is superior so they only need a draw tonight. That makes them very strong favourites to go through. While they are clearly missing the injured Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso, they remain a formidable side who keep the ball better than anyone in the tournament. Spain can be shot-shy at the best of times; tonight, at least while it remains 0-0, they can tiki-taka to their heart’s content. Denmark, runners up in 2017, have struggled in what is a fiendishly difficult group. They were hammered by Germany and needed a brilliant late save from Lene Christensen to beat Finland in Milton Keynes on Tuesday. But they have a proud record in this competition – one final, five semi-finals – so I’d be loath to write them off. This would be a very good night for Pernille Harder to remind the world of her greatness. Kick off 8pm.
Substitutes: Svane, Nielsen, Thrige, S Troelsgaard, S Holmgaard, Nadim, Larsen, Bredgaard, Gevitz, Bruun, Gejl, Svava.
Substitutes: Gallardo, Rodriguez, Aleixandri, Andres, Guerrero, Gonzalez, Cardona, Sarriegi, Abelleira, Carmona, Pereira, Pina.
July 16, 2022 at 11:51PM Rob Smyth
Average Rating