Germany’s Jamal Musiala celebrates after scoring a goal against Denmark during their Euro match. Reuters

Germany’s first knockout victory at a major tournament in eight years will raise fans’ expectations that a former powerhouse of the sport are returning to their best at Euro 2024, but the players will not feel pressure, coach Julian Nagelsmann said.

The hosts were scintillating at the start of their 2-0 win over Denmark on Saturday, with Nagelsmann describing their first 20 minutes as “the best of the whole tournament”, before the elements and the Danes dragged Germany into a tricky contest.

“I think we have no more pressure than usual,” Nagelsmann told reporters. “I think the fans and also the expectation of our fans is a big push for us.

“We can deal with the pressure. For me, it’s still a privilege and we also tell the players it’s a privilege to play soccer games under pressure. All the players are used to dealing with it, so it’s no problem.”

Germany’s victory was ultimately a comfortable one and they could have won by more than two goals but for good saves by Kasper Schmeichel and wastefulness in front of goal.

The hosts also got the better of a second-half sliding doors moment, with Denmark defender Joachim Andersen at the centre of it.

Andersen thought he had given Denmark the lead but his goal was disallowed for a narrow offside against Thomas Delaney, before the defender’s arm was struck by a David Raum cross to concede the penalty which put Germany ahead in the 53rd minute. Nagelsmann said the offside call was close.

“I understand that Denmark are annoyed (by the penalty decision), it’s quite harsh but that’s how the rule is.

“Yes, (Andersen) did just run, he didn’t do it intentionally, but that is the rule.

“So I would also be annoyed if it were the other way around, but I would have to accept the rule.”

Meanwhile, Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand complained about the VAR decisions which went against his side in their 2-0 loss to Germany at Euro 2024 on Saturday, suggesting they were not what the technology is supposed to be used for.

“It was decided by two VAR decisions,” Hjulmand told reporters after the last-16 tie in Dortmund, which Germany won thanks to a Kai Havertz penalty early in the second half and a Jamal Musiala strike.

Denmark thought they had gone in front just after half-time when Joachim Andersen scored, but the effort was eventually ruled out following a VAR check which showed Thomas Delaney was just offside before setting up the goal.

When play restarted, Germany immediately attacked and a David Raum cross brushed off the arm of Crystal Palace defender Andersen in the Danish box, leading to another VAR check and the award of the penalty which Havertz converted.

“I have the photo here, it was one centimetre,” Hjulmand complained of the offside decision against Andersen while holding up his phone.

“When a decision is good it should be visible from the moon, and it should not depend on a few centimetres.

“In terms of statistics and data, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not how we are supposed to be using VAR. It’s one centimetre.

“And one minute later there was a penalty. I’m so tired of the ridiculous handball rules, we cannot ask our defenders to run without their arms.

“Joachim was running normally. It’s a normal situation, he jumped and was hit from one metre. I rarely talk about these situations but it was very decisive for this game.”

VAR can intervene in four match-changing situations, for goals and offences leading up to goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents and cases of mistaken identity.

New technology is being used at the Euros which allows officials to see clearly if the ball has brushed the arm of a player, similar to the snickometer used in cricket.

Denmark, semi-finalists at the last Euros three years ago, go home from Germany without winning a game, having qualified from their group with three draws.

“It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for our team. Being in front 1-0 would have changed everything for our team,” added Hjulmand, 52, before he congratulated German coach Julian Nagelsmann.

“Big congratulations to Germany. Julian is doing a great job. Good luck with the rest of the tournament but in my opinion this is not how football is supposed to be.”

Agencies