Germany launch bid for 9th Women’s Euro crown with rout of Denmark

Sports Desk, Jul 8 (EFE).- Germany embarked on their quest for a record ninth Women’s Euro title Friday by inflicting a 4-0 drubbing on Denmark.

With the result, the Germans claimed first place in Group B of Women’s Euro 2022 England by virtue of better goal difference than Spain, who beat Finland 4-1 hours earlier.

La Roja and Germany are due to meet next Tuesday in the second of the three group-stage matches.

There appeared to be few empty seats at London’s Brentford Community Stadium – capacity 17,250 – and both sets of supporters made themselves heard.

The Danes started with ambition, but Germany were quick to seize the initiative and Danish goalkeeper Lene Christensen found herself under siege.

She made several noteworthy stops in the early going and also got some help from the cross-bar, which denied Felicitas Rauch on two occasions in the space of three minutes.

But Christensen could do nothing to stop Lina Magull from putting Germany up in the 20th minute with a blast from close range after a giveaway on the edge of the box.

Against the run of play, Signe Bruun forced German keeper Merle Frohms into a leaping save in the 29th minute, while Klara Bühl fired over the cross-bar on Germany’s best chance for a second goal before the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Christensen turned aside a shot from Magull for a corner.

Magull lofted the ball into the box to a waiting Lea Schüller, who headed in for the 2-0.

Svenja Hüth thought she made 3-0 for Germany in the 74th minute, but the goal was disallowed for an offside. But the reprieve lasted only until the 79th minute, when sub Lina Lattwein scored off a free kick.

Germany captain Alexandra Popp, scoring her 54th goal for the national side, extended the lead to 4-0 with four minutes left in regulation. EFE

cmg/dr