• Germany into quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with win against Denmark
  • Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala with goals
  • Game suspended in first half by lightning storm

Germany advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-0 win against Denmark in Dortmund on Saturday night.

Two second-half goals ensured the hosts progressed to the last eight, taking advantage after the Danes had a strike of their own controversially ruled out.

With 35 minutes on the clock, referee Michael Oliver suspended play due to a lightning storm, but the match continued soon after when the heavy rain cleared.

Julian Nagelsmann's side will face either Spain or Georgia in the next round, with their potential opponents due to play on Sunday.

How the game unfolded

After only four minutes, Germany thought they went in front. Nico Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner, but the goal was chalked off as Joshua Kimmich was judged to have illegally blocked off Andreas Skov Olsen from reaching the ball first

Kasper Schmeichel soon after had to get down low to deny a fine volley from Kai Havertz as the hosts' fast start continued.

Denmark's first opening came when Joachim Andersen picked out Christian Eriksen with a sensational ball over the top. His first touch was exquisite, but Antonio Rudiger made a last-ditch block to deny him.

Eriksen then turned provider for Joakim Maehle, whose shot from a tight angle whistled past the post.

After play resumed following the pause for the lightning storm, Schmeichel made a fine instinctive save to deny Havertz, who rose highest to meet a wicked David Raum cross.

Germany could have been made to pay when Schlotterbeck was dispossessed in his own box by Rasmus Hojlund, who raced to the touchline before firing a shot into the side-netting.

Another chance went begging when Germany were caught high up the pitch and released Skov Olsen on the counter. His ball inside beat Rudiger and rolled into Hojlund's path, but Manuel Neuer was quick off his line to deflect his dink to safety.

Within three minutes of the restart, Denmark had the ball in the net. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's floated cross took several deflections before falling kindly for Andersen to bundle in. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Moments later, VAR recommended a review after the ball struck Andersen's hand while trying to defend a Raum cross, and referee Oliver pointed to the penalty spot. Havertz stepped up and found the bottom corner to put Germany ahead.

Havertz should have had a second soon after when he looped the ball away from two retreating Danish defenders with a magnificent piece of skill and sprinted through to goal, only for his chipped finish to land wide of the post.

Down the other end, Hojbjerg found Hojlund advancing into the box, but his driven effort was straight at Neuer.

And Denmark were made to pay for that wastefulness when Musiala doubled Germany's lead with their next attack. Schlotterbeck's clever ball around the back of the Denmark defence rolled into Musiala's path, and he made no mistake when one-on-one with Schmeichel.

Substitute Florian Wirtz thought he'd added a third in stoppage time, but he was way offside and Germany had to settle for just the two-goal victory.