Pointless after two games, Denmark are now only two from improbable glory. Reaching a first semi-final in 29 years meant a remarkable renaissance continues. They may yet follow in the footsteps of the class of 1992 and become surprise European champions.
The first team in the competition’s history to qualify for the knockout stages after losing their opening two matches have shown their potency. Two first-half goals took their tally to 10 in three matches, though it still required some dogged defending to end the Czech Republic’s terrific campaign.
Once again, Kasper Hjulmand’s side found a way to win without Christian Eriksen. They allied energy with quality initially, and then demonstrated resolve and resilience. The playmaker was their resident set-piece specialist. Instead, Jens Stryger Larsen’s corner brought Thomas Delaney’s opener. The midfielder became Denmark’s seventh scorer of the tournament. It is proof of the way so many have contributed to their success.
Kasper Dolberg, who was limited to one substitute appearance in the group, has emerged as one of the stars of the knockout stages and his volleyed second meant the Czechs had conceded as many goals before the break as they had in their four previous matches. Patrik Schick then drew level with Cristiano Ronaldo as the tournament’s top scorer, but emulated him by being eliminated.
Hjulmand has shown a sure touch in his decision-making and his pre-match decisions were soon justified.
Yussuf Poulsen and Daniel Wass were fit again but began on the bench. The men who had come in against Wales and who retained their places, in Dolberg and Stryger Larsen, set about proving their manager right.
The wing-back Stryger Larsen took an incorrectly awarded fifth-minute corner and Delaney rose unmarked to head it in. The Czech Republic had used their height to scored two goals from set-pieces already in the tournament, but this was a taste of their own medicine. The same combination could have produced a second goal, Delaney miscuing a half-volley from Stryger Larsen’s cross.
Instead, Dolberg doubled the lead. His close-range finish was emphatic, though still not as impressive as Joakim Maehle’s cross, whipped in with the outside of his right foot. The Atalanta man has seemed to be in an unofficial competition with Leonardo Spinazzola for the title of the tournament’s left-back and, with his rival injured, this was an eloquent way of advancing his case.
There were other examples of Denmark’s ability to break at pace. They had a threat on the counter-attack, especially through Mikkel Damsgaard. The prodigy had two chances to mark his 21st birthday with a goal. When he latched on to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s long ball and poked a shot past Tomas Vaclik, a tame effort was cleared off the line. Later, Vaclik saved a fiercer shot.
The Czechs were muted initially; their best chance of the first half stemmed from a poor kick by Kasper Schmeichel, though the goalkeeper atoned by blocking from Tomas Holes, while Tomas Soucek headed a corner wide.
But Jaroslav Silhavy also ranks among the tournament’s outstanding managers and he exerted an impact to fashion a comeback. A half-time double change made a difference. Jakub Jankto had an influence while Michael Krmencik was still more of a catalyst. Within a minute of his introduction, he drew a save from Schmeichel. It prompted others to show a similar intent. Four shots in as many minutes culminated in Schick’s fifth goal of the tournament, volleyed in from Vladimir Coufal’s cross.
Denmark’s dominance had given way to a struggle but Hjulmand restored a measure control by beefing up his midfield with Christian Norgaard and going from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2. Poulsen came on to add a presence in attack. He came close twice and set up Maehle when he was denied by the excellent Vaclik but a third goal was not necessary. When Schick went off, holding his hamstring, it was a sign his side were checking out.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
McIlroy's recent struggles
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
more from Janine di Giovanni
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
