Christensen, Denmark reach Euro 2020 quarterfinals with easy 4-0 win over Wales

Denmark’s journey started in a most shocking and scary fashion, but the 1992 European champions have taken another step closer to repeating that historic feat with a dominant 4-0 win over Wales, who thus fall well short of repeating their historic run to the semifinals four five years ago.

Wales, the Group A runners-up started the better of the two sides, controlling play and creating a few opportunities in the first 15 minutes, but Denmark, spurred on by a partisan crowd in Amsterdam grew into proceedings and never looked back once Kasper Dolberg started the scoring just before the half-hour mark. This goal was the pick of the bunch, a magnificent flowing move expertly finished off.

Dolberg, who burst onto the scene in this very stadium with Ajax (he’s been at Nice for the last couple seasons), was on the scoresheet for a second time just a couple minutes into the second half, before Denmark made sure of the win with two more goals in the final two minutes. (Technically the last one was four minutes into added-on time, but that doesn’t fit with the number-two theme.)

So, Denmark into the last eight for the first time since 2004*, when they lost to an imperious Czech Republic side. They could be in for a rematch, though the Czechs will first have to get past the Netherlands, tomorrow.

*(the knockout rounds began with the last-8 back then)

With Ethan Ampadu suspended for Wales after his red card in the previous game, Andreas Christensen was the only Chelsea representative in this one. Christensen has had an excellent tournament, matching his second-half form from the season, and that continued with another solid display against Aaron Ramsey & Co, keeping the former Arsenal man quiet and effectively nullifying Wales’ perhaps biggest threat.

Christensen’s contract extension is hopefully ready to be signed as soon as he gets back from the Euros ... though hopefully that won’t be for a while yet and Denmark continue their remarkable journey.