Christian Eriksen completed a fairytale return to the European Championship stage with a magnificent goal, but Denmark were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenia in their Group C opener in Stuttgart.
MAN OF THE MATCH – CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (DENMARK)
In such emotional circumstances, it would be easy to hand the Manchester United playmaker the goal award. The reality is that he was the game’s most inventive force and was at the center of his country’s best moments, especially in the first 45.
PLAYER RATINGS
DENMARK: Schmeichel 7, Vestergaard 7, Andersen 7, Kristensen 7, Hjulmand 7, Hojbjerg 7, Kristiansen 7, Bach 7, Eriksen 8*, Hojlund 7, Vetar 8. Subs: Maehle 6, Poulsen n/a, Dolberg , Norgaard n/a /a, Delaney n/a.
SLOVENIA: Oblak 8, Karničnik 7, Janža 8, Bijol 8, Drkušić 7, Čerin 7, Elsnik 7, Mlakar 7, Stojanović 7, Šporar 7, Šeško 7. Substitutions: Verbić 7, Stanković 6, Čelar 6, Brekalo n/a , Kurtić n/a.
Match transfer and commentary
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
17′ – GOAL! – Denmark 1-0 Slovenia: (Eriksen). Jonas Wind unleashes a long throw from the right into the path of Eriksen who chests it down before firing a half-volley into the far corner.
43′ – CHANCE FOR DENMARK! Wind cuts down the left and slips a nice cut to an unmarked Eriksen who manages to hit a 15-yarder over the bar.
65′ – CHANCE FOR DENMARK! Oblak saves Hojlund from close range, after Viktor Christiansen had put a wonderful ball into the penalty area on the left.
67′ – SLOVENIA’S CHANCE! Cerin is late to meet Sporar’s nice cross from the left, but he can only head it wide of the far post.
76′ – SLOVENIA’S CHANCE! Sesko collects the loose ball and hits a stunning shot from 25 yards at the far post.
77′ – GOAL! – Denmark 1-1 Slovenia: (Janza). A right-wing corner falls to Eric Janza who lets rip from 25 yards with a crisp effort that deflects and flies past Schmeichel.