Denmark vs. Germany: Player Ratings

Germany put on another trademark clinical performance to end the Danish challenge at the Euros, and achieve a 100% win record at the Euro’s so far. Group B was known as the ‘group of death’ and certainly lived up to the name (ask the Dutch). Germany will now face the unpredictable Greeks in the quarters while group runners-up Portugal will take on Czech Republic.

Germany:

Manuel Neuer (7.0) – Made a couple of good saves but should have done better to prevent Krohn-Dehli’s deflected header that went just over him before ending up in goal. He read the game very well when he came off his line to hold off Bendtner in the first half and played a useful ball in to the centre. However, he wasn’t kept very busy by the Danes in the later stages of the match.

Lars Bender (7.5) - He was played in place of Boateng, who was suspended for the match and Bender made the most of it. He found himself in the right place at the right time just as Klose sprawled and missed a wonderfully weighted through ball from Ozil and Bender finished it off perfectly giving Andersen no chance. Played well in defense and did a good job tracking back and stopping the runs of Poulsen on the right.

Matts Hummels (6.0)- Played well in central defense intercepting crosses meant for Bendtner.

Holger Badstuber (6.0)- Selected ahead of the experienced Per Mertersacker, Badstuber certainly does justice to the selection. Was solid at the heart of defense.

Philipp Lahm (6.5)- Apart from doing a good job defensively and guarding the right flank, Lahm was impressive going forward and managed to string a few crosses to the center.

Sammy Khedira (7.0)- Looked quite dangerous in the center of midfield for most of the game, especially in the first half when combined very well with Muller, Ozil and Schweinsteiger to create chances. Sammy got an unlikely chance to score from an almost fatal error by Kvist as the ball dropped to his feet just inside the box, but was pressed for time and hastily shot it wide.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (7.0)- Had another good game pulling the strings from midfield, and combining with Ozil and Muller. Was very active in the first half but looked rather subdued in the second as Germany had a rather cautious approach to the game during that time. Took a free kick in the last minute but couldn’t even get the ball past the wall.

Thomas Muller (5.0)- Missed a sitter from point blank range, right at the start of the game. Was quite unimpressive for most of the game and he just couldn’t get into the flow. Was moved into a central striker position alongside Klose for some time during the second half before being substituted. Muller has not played the full 90 minutes in Germany’s all three group matches, and he is not having the best of tournaments for his high standards.

Mesut Ozil (8.5)- Easily the best player on the pitch, never seemed to be faraway from the action. Created two brilliant assists, the first one for Podolski from near the touchline on the right hand side and the second one to Bender was even more elegant than the first. Made some excellent passes throughout the match, and was the focus of the German attack.

Lucas Podolski (8.0)- Had a very good game over all and got to score on his 100^th appearance for the national side. Scored from almost the centre of the penalty area from an Ozil through ball that was came off Gomez and landed at Poldi’s feet. He blasted a powerful free kick from the edge of the area just over the bar. Was replaced by Schrulle in the second half.

Gomez- Started first half confidently and he unleashed a left footer that went just over the ball early in the game. Tried his luck from outside the box a couple of times but nothing came out of it. Was replaced by Klose with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Subs:

Andre Schurrle (5.0)- Had a good opportunity to score just when he had come on and was one on one with Andersen, who saved the shot.

Miroslav Klose (5.0)- Failed to reach Ozil’s cross, but no harm done as Bender got to it and converted.

Denmark:

Stephan Andersen (8.0)- Put on a brave show to deny the likes of Muller, Gomez, Hummels and Schurrle from scoring. Couldn’t do much about the two goals conceded. Probably Denmark’s best player in this campaign. Unfortunate to end up on the losing side.

Lars Jacobsen (6.5) – Took a brilliant free kick which resulted in the Krohn-Dehli goal. Tried to set up Zimling in the second half, who fell couldn’t reach the ball. Though he failed to mark Podolski for the opener, he made up for it with an impressive display.

Simon Kjaer (6.0)- Was excellent in defense and made some crucial challenges. Played well with Agger to deny the Germans space.

Daniel Agger (7.0)- Was almost flawless in defence, made some exceptional tackles and interceptions. The Danish captain tried to lead by example and made some meaningful runs forward.

Simon Poulsen (6.5)- Was quite enterprising down the left flank and tracked back very well to stop the ball from reaching Podolski inside the box. Combined well with Bendtner in the second half to set up a shot for Jacob Poulsen, who hit it wide.

William Kvist Jorgenson (5.5)- Had a good game for the most part of the match, but did make some telling blunders like when his failed clearance landed kindly to Khedira, and fortunately for him his mistake did not result in a goal.

Niki Zimling (6.5)- A very competitive player, he made some excellent, probing runs down the centre. Almost latched on to a cross fron Jacobsen in the second half. He also tracked back well notably to stop Muller towards the end. Was substituted for Christian Poulsen.

Jacob Poulsen (6.0)- Played quite well on the right side and combined to a good effect with Simon Poulsen and Zimling. Sustituted later in the second half for Mikkelson.

Christian Eriksen (4.5)- Barely made his presence felt in the match. Wasn’t able to assert himself through out the tournament. This was supposed to be the tournament where the young Ajax star showed his talent to the world, but was rather disappointing in all of Denmark’s group games.

Michael Krohn-Dehli (7.0)- Scored his second goal for Denmark in the tournament as Jacobsen’s well taken free kick was headed powerfully by Bendtner and came his way. KD headed it over a helpless Manuel Neuer to level the score with Germany.

Nicklas Bendtner (7.0)- Took a powerful header from Jacobsen’s free kick which resulted in goal, but missed another opportunity from within the area. Tried to set up J.Poulsen in the second half, whose shot went inches wide of the German goal.

Subs:

Chriatian Poulssen (4.5)- Used to be the captain of the Danish side, sadly for him, Germany scored their winner within minutes of his arrival on the pitch.

Tobias Pilegaard Mikkelson- (4.5)