Denmark sits in the lead

Denmark rediscovered the victory (2-0) in a convincing performance against Austria, which they liquidated in a notable first half, and established their unexpected leadership in Group 1. With two rounds to go, the Danes are first with nine points, for the seven of Croatia, with Austria with four and remote options and France, the favorite, already eliminated.

Austria had never won in Copenhagen and had lost their last four matches against Red Dynamite, the most recent ten days ago in Vienna (1-2), in a match in which they deserved more.

No sign of Rangnick’s energetic team was seen at the Parken. The Austrians -without Alaba, injured, although sitting on the bench- were clumsy in getting the ball out and conceded far behind against a rival who also had several casualties due to physical problems and reserved Eriksen from the start.

Denmark, who had a brilliant start with wins in Paris and Vienna, had just lost at home against Croatia in a somewhat gray game.

Hjulmand decided to return to the line of three central defenders, the scheme that has given him the most revenue and that grants more freedom to his lanes, especially Mæhle.

The Danish team began to accumulate chances: a header from Cornelius, another left-footed shot from him near the post, a long shot from Jensen or a frank header from Mæhle that could have passed to Wind, only with the goalkeeper beaten.

The Atalanta winger redeemed himself two minutes later with a fabulous run and back pass to the Wolfsburg striker, who opened the scoring on the pitch of his former team, Copenhagen.

The game calmed down a bit. Austria had the ball more but it was harmless.

Until the trio of local attackers pulled a big play up their sleeve. Cornelius opened for Wind, who left Skov Olsen alone in front of the goalkeeper, author of the 2-0 with a fine definition, rounding off a very good Danish first half.

With the carousel of changes at half-time, half a dozen in all, the game lost pace. The possession was more equal, but it was still Denmark that combined with more sense and threatened, although without specifying in real danger.

In an isolated play, Laimer stole Jensen’s bag and left Kalajdzic in front of the goal, who sent it to the clouds. Austria seemed to perk up a bit and Rangnick switched attacking pairs with Gregoritsch and Arnautovic. But who woke up was Denmark, with two shots deflected almost in a row from Billing and Wind, the best of his team tonight.

Højbjerg, another of today’s highlights, had the third in a run down the right flank, but with little angle. And, shortly after, Stryger Larsen. Or Eriksen in a shot to the post.

Denmark, which is still in the cloud that took it to the semifinals of the European Championship a year ago, will play the classification in September against Croatia in Zagreb, an outcome that nobody would have bet on ten days ago.