Denmark 1-2 Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne inspires Red Devils to victory as they reach Euro round of 16

 

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Match report as Christian Eriksen is honoured before and during the game at the Parken Stadium; Yussuf Poulsen fires Denmark ahead inside two minutes; Kevin De Bruyne makes return as a half-time substitute, assisting Thorgan Hazard's equaliser and scoring a sublime winner.

Image:Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring a superb winner in Copenhagen

A sensational second-half performance from Kevin De Bruyne inspired Belgium to a 2-1 comeback victory against Denmark, sending them into the last 16.

Much of the pre-match build-up was focused on how Denmark would react after Christian Eriksen's collapse at the Parken Stadium on Saturday, but they quickly took the lead when Yussuf Poulsen fired home inside two minutes.

A pre-planned tribute to Eriksen was superbly executed in the tenth minute as both teams, officials and fans applauded the Denmark No 10, who is recovering at a hospital close to the Copenhagen arena.The Danes should have doubled their lead during the first half too as world No 1 side Belgium looked lethargic across the field.

99 - Yussuf Poulsen has scored the second quickest goal in European Championships history, timed at 99 seconds. Only Dmitry Kirichenko for Russia vs Greece at EURO 2004 scored an earlier goal (65 seconds). But Roberto Martinez unleashed his not-so-secret weapon at half-time when De Bruyne came on for Dries Mertens, having been among the substitutes after recovering from a facial injury sustained in the Champions League final. Nine minutes later, he set up Thorgan Hazard for the equaliser.

De Bruyne then volleyed home a sensational effort in the 70th minute to wrap up a second Euro 2020 Group B victory for Belgium and join Italy in the last 16.

Martin Braithwaite hit the crossbar late on for Denmark, but they remain winless at the tournament so far. However, they still have a chance of making the knockout stages when they host Russia in their final group game on Monday.