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Euro 2020: Goal of the day

June 18, 2021 08:18 IST

Kevin de Bruyne

IMAGE: Kevin De Bruyne's toned down celebration with Thorgan Hazard after scoring their side's second goal against Denmark. Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Kevin de Bruyne set up one goal and scored another in a 2-1 comeback against Denmark that secured Belgium's place in the next round.

 

Kevin de Bruyne

IMAGE: Kevin De Bruyne scores their side's second goal. Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay - Pool/Getty Images

It was Denmark's first game since Christian Eriksen's collapse, and the hosts started at a furious pace at a raucous Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. Yussuf Poulsen scored with a low shot inside the far post in only the second minute.

The Danes dominated the first half but Belgium turned to a bench bursting with talent.

De Bruyne came on after halftime for his first appearance since sustaining a facial fracture in the Champions League final and squared the ball for Thorgan Hazard to equalise in the 55th minute. He then scored in the 71st with a low shot from outside the area.

Kevin de Bruyne

IMAGE: Kevin De Bruyne has a shot on goal. Photograph: Hanna McKay - Pool/Getty Images

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand had said the team's strategy for keeping Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku quiet was to make sure he didn't get the ball in the first place. And Denmark largely succeeded until the 55th, when Lukaku burst forward down the right flank before passing to De Bruyne. The Manchester City midfielder went around a defender inside the area before teeing up Hazard, who slotted it past a scrambling Kasper Schmeichel.

De Bruyne completed the comeback by finishing off another classy move to thump the ball into the net in the 74th minute. Eden Hazard came on and set up De Bruyne for the second goal.

Kevin de Bruyne

IMAGE: Denmark’s Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel look dejected after conceding their side's second goal. Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay - Pool/Getty Images

De Bruyne ran toward the Belgium fans but didn't celebrate the goal, pushing in hands down in a calming motion out of respect for Eriksen.

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