By Liz Panucci // @PanucciLiz
They’ve done it! Denmark has advanced to the Round of 16 in the World Cup!!
Congratulations #DEN
See you in the knock-outs! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/9VOHdqvPzP
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
Their best FIFA World Cup result to date was achieved in 1998, where they narrowly lost 3–2 in a quarter-final against Brazil. Denmark also made the second round in 2002. Check out these amazing stats comparing then and now…hmmmmm, makes you wonder.
1998:
Denmark vs France.
Final Group C match at World Cup.
Denmark won first game 1-0.
Denmark drew second game 1-1.
Schmeichel in goal.2018
Denmark vs France.
Final Group C match at World Cup.
Denmark won first game 1-0.
Denmark drew second game 1-1.
Schmeichel in goal.— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) June 26, 2018
Advancing to this next round was not clinched until the final day of Group C games on June 26th. France was already set to move on and that’s who the opponent was for Denmark. Australia was hosting Peru at the same time. With a Denmark loss and an Australia win, both teams would be tied at 4 points each. Tournament rules would then go into effect.
FYI – this is how we are looking going into the final matches in Group C…
1) #FRA (Q)
2) #DEN
3) #AUS
4) #PER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/LVBaf8lUGx— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
As the tweet below states, there was lots of huffing and puffing but not lots of scoring. The match with France ended in a scoreless draw. Kudos to keeper Kasper Schmeichel once again. Peru defeated Australia 0-2 in an exciting match to clinch it for Denmark.
Lots of huffing and puffing, but…..
Both sides progress to Round of 16. #DENFRA pic.twitter.com/NgPg6Edj6l
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
France and Denmark were tops in Group C and both moved on to the knockout phase – Round of 16.
GROUP C.
All eyes now turn to Rostov-on-Don & Saint Petersburg for #NGARG & #ISLCRO. pic.twitter.com/YU8Ki5kkDV— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
June 29th was a day of rest for the World Cup in Russia. Teams who did not advance packed up their bags, collected their memories and hopped a plane home. It will be another four years before they can try again.
Round of 16
France kicked it off versus the favored Argentina. Many say it was the match of all matches, and almost everyone agrees it was exciting to watch, even for new fans of soccer. The final score was 4-3, for France. Uruguay knocked out Portugal with a score of 2 -1. Sunday, July 1 has Spain and Russia playing the early game.
In the later game, Croatia and Denmark play. Croatia was in a competitive group with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria who all played well during tournament play. They are coming in strong. Here is a quote from Crotia midfielder Filip Bradaric as we look forward to the match:
Denmark has some similar features to Iceland. Croatia will be well-prepared for this encounter.
Competitors in the football (soccer) world know Denmark to be a solid competitor. It will be an exciting match between these two intense teams as this is a win-or-go-home situation. Here’s what Denmark’s official team reporter for 2018 FIFA World Cup had to say:
I am sorry guys but we are planning to snatch that World Cup trophy right out of your hands @FIFAWorldCupCRO 😊 see you Sunday!! pic.twitter.com/FUp7TwvJjY
— Svend Bertil Frandsen, FIFA (@FIFAWorldCupDEN) June 30, 2018
See you there!
Croatia v Denmark. Sunday, July 1. #CRODEN
Update: Denmark was defeated in the knockout match against Croatia. It was a very exciting game, going into shootout penalty kicks, with the eventual loss. Kudos to all the Danish players on a successful World Cup!
Featured image: mlsfemale
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