Germany Make Strong Comeback to Secure 2-1 Win over Denmark

UEFA Women’s European Championship 2025 Group C

Germany 2-1 Denmark

8 July 2025 – 6pm CET

Record eight-time Women's UEFA Women's European Championship winners and runners-up of the 2022 Euros, Germany, rise to the top of Group C, taking a large step towards securing a place in the quarter-finals. Denmark, however, remain at 0 points, ending their Euro 2025 campaign.

Team News

Germany

Midfielder Lena Oberdorf, who won Young Player of the Tournament in the 2022 Euros was confirmed last month to be ruled out of the 2025 Euros due to an ACL injury sustained last July, which is a huge loss for Germany. Ahead of the Euros, following the retirement of several players, Giulia Gwinn was named Captain of the team. However, the team announced that she will be missing the remainder of the games in this tournament, due to an MCL injury picked up in Germany’s Group Stage opener against Poland last week. Head Coach Christian Wück made slight changes to the starting lineup due to Gwinn’s injury, with Wamser replacing Gwinn. Minge took over the captaincy and the 4-3-2-1 formation used in their opening game against Poland was kept.

Denmark

Head Coach Andrée Jeglertz kept the same starting XI as Denmark’s game against Sweden last week, but changed the formation to 4-2-2. The team continued to be led by Pernille Harder on her third Euros campaign.

Lineups

Germany

Head Coach:

Christian Wück

Starting XI:

1. Berger

2. Linder

4. Knaak

6. Minge (C)

5. Wamser

9. Nüsken

20. Senß

19. Bühl

16. Dallmann

22. Brand

11. Schüller

Denmark

Head Coach:

Andrée Jeglertz

Starting XI:

1. Bay

11. Veje

3. Ballisager

4. Færge

18. S. Holmgaard

8. Snerle

6. K. Holmgaard

15. Thøgersen

10. Harder (C)

21. Vangsgaard

19. Thomsen

First Half

Denmark kicked off, but Germany quickly took control within the first two minutes of the game. In the 4th minute, play continued despite Danish forward Vangsgaard going down. Germany demonstrated great speed and aggressiveness, immediately pushing forward, hoping for an early goal, but were denied by Danish defender Sara Holmgaard. The game was then briefly stopped with Vangsgaard still down, but she came back shortly with her nose plugged due to the bloody nose she picked up. No other serious injuries were sustained, so play quickly resumed.

Denmark created their first real chance in the 8th minute, but German defender Linder made a block, which resulted in Denmark’s first corner, saved brilliantly by Berger.

Germany were awarded a free-kick in the 15th minute after Nüsken was fouled and the game really started to come alive. A minor mistake made by Danish defender Færge allowed Germany to press forward rapidly. Denmark failed to clear the ball, and Bühl finally slid it past Bay and got the goal she had been pushing for in the 18th minute, assisted by Brand. However, after a long VAR check, Germany’s goal was disallowed for offside, resetting the score to 0-0.

Momentum was building for Denmark whilst decreasing for Germany following the disappointment of the VAR decision. In the 25th minute, Harder got into the box, posing a major threat to Germany, but they defended well and regained possession. However, Thomsen quickly interfered, making an amazing run and assist to Vangsgaard, who scored a stunning goal to give Denmark the lead in the 26th minute. 

Denmark nearly doubled their lead with stunning efforts from Harder, Thomsen and Sara Holmgaard, making a real breakthrough in their first-half performance, though Berger also made crucial saves.

Following a handball by Danish defender Thøgersen, Germany were initially awarded a penalty, but a VAR check overturned the decision and only a free-kick was awarded. The free-kick was cleared and Linder’s follow-up shot was tipped over the bar by Bay.

Despite staying in possession most of the time, creating chances and increasing the pressure, Germany were not able to find a successful finish in the first half after the disallowed goal, with Denmark’s defence holding strong.

Half-time Score: Germany 0-1 Denmark

Second Half

Germany came out in the second half eager to turn the game around, after a frustrating first half. In the 56th minute, a penalty was awarded to Germany, following another long VAR check. Nüsken stepped up and scored the equaliser for Germany, bringing them back into the game. 

In the 61st minute, substitutions were made by Denmark to bring new, fresh energy back into their game and to improve their attack. Forward Bruun replaced midfielder Thomsen, forward Kramer went in as forward Vangsgaard who scored the opener for Denmark went off, and midfielder Troelsgaard replaced midfielder Karen Holmgaard.

Denmark made a huge clearance mistake in the 66th minute, allowing Germany to take the lead with Schüller’s impeccable finish, assisted by Brand. Germany’s momentum kept building and they dominated possession, making it increasingly hard for Denmark to fight back in this half of the game.

Hasbo came on for Denmark in the 69th minute as Snerle went off. In the 70th minute, Germany also made some player changes. Forward Freigang came on to replace midfielder Dallmann, forward Hoffmann came on as goal-scorer Schüller went off, and defender Heindrich replaced defender Knaak.

In the 85th minute, Danish defender Veje went off, as forward Nadim came on and made an immediate impact on Denmark’s attack, linking up with Harder, though they were unable to find a finish.

Brand went off in the 99th minute, allowing Zicai to come on for Germany, to make her major tournament debut, though she wasn't given much game time. The initial additional time of 9 minutes was up but the game continued.

Harder gained possession of the ball in the 100th minute and Denmark pushed forward, as their hopes of advancing in the European Championship started to slip away. Kramer shot from a distance, straight into the arms of Berger, marking Denmark’s last opportunity to pose a threat before the final whistle. The final whistle blew at the 101st minute, Germany securing 3 points and Denmark leaving with none.

Full-time Score: Germany 2-1 Denmark

Player of the match

Klara Bühl

Standout player for Germany. Bühl created the most chances and had the most shots in this game, despite not getting a goal after the disallowed goal. She also showed exceptional speed and skill, as well as passion and determination, pushing the team forward.

Statistics

Possession

Germany: 73%

Denmark: 27%

Shots

Germany: 27

Denmark: 5

Shots on target

Germany: 5

Denmark: 4

Passes

Germany: 555

Denmark: 217

Pass accuracy

Germany: 85%

Denmark: 64%

Fouls

Germany: 7

Denmark: 7

Offsides

Germany: 3

Denmark: 2

Corners

Germany: 10

Denmark: 3

Yellow cards:

Germany: 1

Denmark: 1

Red cards:

Germany: 0

Denmark: 0