In a commanding performance that saw them control the match from the outset, Denmark secured a crucial 3-0 victory against Greece in Piraeus, taking a huge stride toward a ticket to the World Cup. The win, orchestrated by Danish coach Brian Riemer, showcased a team that was both tactically astute and clinical in front of goal, leaving the home side frustrated and visibly deflated.
The match began with Greece, fresh off a comfortable 5-1 win against Belarus, struggling to find their rhythm. A string of mistimed passes from Ivan Jovanovic’s men allowed Denmark to seize the initiative early. The visitors’ intent was clear, with Joachim Maehle missing an early opportunity after finding space on the left wing. Soon after, Danish attacking pressure nearly resulted in a Greek own goal when Georgios Vagiannidis’s clearance almost ended up in his own net.
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute, courtesy of Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard. Demonstrating sharp instinct, Damsgaard dispossessed a Greek player near the box and curled a beautiful shot past the helpless goalkeeper, Konstantinos Tzolakis, to give Denmark a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal was a perfect reward for a dominant Danish first half, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg nearly added a second with a deflected free kick just before the break.
The second half started with Greece showing a renewed determination to get back into the game, but their hopes were soon dashed. Just after the hour mark, in the 62nd minute, Barcelona’s central defender Andreas Christensen, who had recently returned from a long-term injury, doubled Denmark’s lead with a goal that was eerily similar to Damsgaard’s opener. The strike seemed to sap all the remaining energy from the Greek side, who looked a shadow of the team that had recorded ten wins in their last 13 matches.
With the game effectively decided, Denmark put the final nail in the coffin in the 80th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Patrick Dorgu break clear and round the goalkeeper, but his shot rebounded off the post. Fortunately for the Danes, Rasmus Hojlund was perfectly positioned to tap the ball into the empty net, sealing a comfortable 3-0 win and a vital three points in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
For Denmark, the win evokes memories of their first-ever tournament qualification back in 1983, when they secured their spot with a 2-0 victory against Greece. With this commanding performance, it seems they are well on their way to replicating that historic achievement.
