More than most, Denmark know the importance of a prolific playmaker, a footballer who can create and score in equal measure. In Christian Eriksen, they have lost one.
That they were condemned to defeat by another, in Kevin de Bruyne, felt doubly cruel in a game where Denmark were outstanding at the start and spirited in a finale when Martin Braithwaite headed against the bar. But De Bruyne’s catalytic cameo produced an assist, a goal and a Belgium win that leaves Denmark in danger of an early exit.
The Manchester City midfielder had not played since fracturing his skull in a collision with Antonio Rudiger in the Champions League final. He was not deemed fully fit but Roberto Martinez sent for the cavalry after a first half when the world's top-ranked team had been distinctly second best. De Bruyne transformed the game. Belgium emerged victorious to join Italy in the last 16.
And yet, if there had always seemed the chance Eriksen would inspire Denmark in this tournament, he did, though not in a way anyone could have envisaged a week ago.
They were understandably distracted in defeat to Finland but, on their return to the ground where he suffered a cardiac arrest, they looked galvanised by a brush with tragedy. They scored the second-fastest goal in the history of the European Championships. They played like men possessed. It can be hard to stop a team with a cause and it took one of the world's finest players, in De Bruyne, to do so.
On and off the pitch, Denmark did everything they could to stage a fitting tribute to a stricken teammate. Eriksen was believed to have watched on from the hospital within sight of the Parken Stadium, apparently wearing his Denmark shirt. He will have a heart-starting device fitted.
He should have been left in no doubt how much he means. Belgium kicked the ball out after 10 minutes, signifying Eriksen’s number, and the game paused for a minute’s applause by all present. His Inter Milan team-mate Romelu Lukaku was clearly moved. Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel hugged each other; traumatic times have showed what an admirable character each is.
By then, their side led. Belgium were sluggish and overpowered at the start. Martinez recalled Jason Denayer, a decision that backfired when the defender gave the ball away and darted out of position, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg teed up Yussuf Poulsen and he drove a shot past Thibaut Courtois.
A goal after 99 seconds was greeted with a deafening roar and, perhaps, a sense of relief. Eriksen’s on-pitch significance lay partly in the fact he had four times as many international goals as anyone else in the Denmark squad. Poulsen can be a selfless sidekick but he provided a clinical strike.
Then Courtois stopped each wing-back, Joakim Maehle and Daniel Wass, from doubling the lead. If it showed Denmark’s intent, it also reflected a change of shape. They adapted to Eriksen’s absence by switching to 3-4-3. It was a recognition that he was irreplaceable.
As Belgium’s aging defence creaked – and highlighted vulnerabilities that could cost them later in the tournament – Denmark continued with their assault. Braithwaite headed wide, the excellent Mikkel Damsgaard rolled a shot just past the far post and the terrific Thomas Delaney came close.
But Martinez had two talismen in reserve. He turned to De Bruyne at the break and his impact was swift and devastating. Belgium had posed virtually no threat until De Bruyne sprang the offside trap with a pass for Lukaku. He accelerated into the box to take the return ball and slid a low pass to give Thorgan Hazard a tap-in.
Eden Hazard was the second substitute summoned and, like his brother, he combined well with De Bruyne. Lukaku was again involved, Hazard found De Bruyne and he drilled in an unstoppable shot.
Denmark’s efforts should leave them proud but the loss means they are still without a point.
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The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)
Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
Winner: Miqyaas, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Shanty Star, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Alkaamel, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Speedy Move, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Quartier Francois, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan and Lasith Embuldeniya.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
