Denmark unstitches Austria’s defensive solidity

Denmark beat Austria 1-2 on Monday in Vienna with a late goal from Stryger Larsen in an electric game, full of possibilities on both sides, in which Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic celebrated his 100th match in the Austrian jersey.

Equality reigned in a match that was delayed for 90 minutes due to a power outage that left the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna without power.

Denmark struck first with a shot by Hojbjerg from inside the area after a lateral cross slightly deflected by the Alpine defense (min 27′).

The Danish pivot was superb in the first half, commanding his teammates in attack and recovering balls to avoid the quick transitions of the Alpine team, led for the second time by coach Ralf Rangnick.

Shortly after receiving the first goal, debutant Patrick Pentz came out bravely to stop a very loose shot by Yussuf Poulsen from inside the area in what could have been the second goal of the match.

Austria, which went from more to less during the first half, noted the absences of Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer, who started from the bench in the first half by technical decision after shining against Croatia.

Hjulmand was also surprised, leaving Andreas Cornelius out of the starting eleven, author of Denmark’s two goals against France at the Stade de France last week.

David Alaba, who returned to the squad after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, was discreet in the first half and he only tried to surprise Schmeichel at the stroke of halftime with a poisoned shot from the corner kick that the Danish goalkeeper had to clear with his fists.

Late in the second half, the Austrian captain set up a cross into the box for Marco Friedl, who struck from point-blank range from the right side of the goal and went over the crossbar by inches in a frantic start to the second half.

Arnautovic took the field in the second half and in the 66th minute he was the key to the tie by taking advantage of a mistake made between Andersen and Schmeichel at the start to assist Schlagerwhich put the tables on the scoreboard when it looked worst for the local team.

Bologna’s electric striker dribbled past Schmeichel minutes later with a beautiful cut, but his shot hit the post and the rebound went wide.

In the final minutes of the match, Stryger Larsen stepped in and fired a powerful forehand into the top corner well out of Pentz’s reach (min 84′) to make it 1-2 for the Scandinavians.