It was a goalless evening in the football EC’s group C.
The matches between England and Slovenia and Denmark and Serbia both ended 0–0.
Denmark ended up on the same score as Slovenia, but advanced as Slovenia received more yellow cards.
Denmark and Serbia met in the final group stage. Both nations had the knife to their throats and had felt good about victory to advance to the round of 16.
Denmark took command early in the opening match and held most of the possession. It also lined up a bunch of half-chances – but Serbia resisted well.
Two goals were disallowed
After 21 minutes, Denmark came closer to a lead. Christian Eriksen was alert outside the penalty area and fired at a strike – but Rajkovic made a fine save and saved for a corner. At the ensuing corner, Wind managed to nip the ball in, but the goal was disallowed as he held onto Rajkovic at the moment of goal. It was still scoreless when the referee blew for half-time – and the first act can be summed up in one word: the rejections.
After eight minutes played in the second half, Serbia got the ball into the box. Mitrovic got free and got – via a defender – what he thought was the lead goal. But the goal was disallowed as Mitrovic was in an offside position when he received the pass.
At the same time, boring scenes unfolded. In the second half, objects were thrown onto the pitch, causing the following words to be shouted over the loudspeaker:
“Immediately stop throwing objects onto the field. Show respect to players and officials.”
Serbia pressed at the end
With ten minutes remaining, Serbia began to press for a lead. Alexander Mitrovic had a great opportunity in the 80th minute, but the finish hit just wide of Schmeichel’s left post
But no goal ever came from the Serbs – despite pressure. They are thus out of the EC.
Denmark got three points, the same as Slovenia. The two teams had also scored the same number of goals, but Slovenia had received more yellow cards and Denmark progressed. In the 72nd minute against England, the Slovenian Jaka Bijol drew a yellow card, which takes Denmark on.