Euro 2024 hosts Germany booked their place in the quarter-finals, with Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala scoring in a 2-0 victory over Denmark on Saturday.
The tournament's joint-leading scorer, Musiala, curled in a wonderful strike after Havertz's spot-kick to send Denmark crashing out of the tournament.
Nico Schlotterbeck and Joachim Andersen were earlier denied openers following VAR reviews early in each half, while the game was also paused for close to half an hour amid a torrential downpour in Dortmund.
At the end of a dramatic encounter, Denmark are heading home while Germany have set up a meeting with either Spain or Georgia in Stuttgart on Friday.
Denmark got an early let-off as Schlotterbeck saw what would have been his first international goal ruled out for a foul by Joshua Kimmich in the build-up, after the defender headed home from a corner inside four minutes.
Germany kept the pressure on, with Kasper Schmeichel making a string of fine saves to keep out Kimmich, Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz before Antonio Rudiger smothered Christian Eriksen’s shot at the other end.
A heavy storm brought the first half to a halt after 35 minutes but a near-30-minute break only revitalised Germany, with Havertz's header smothered by Schmeichel before Schlotterbeck sent another effort just wide.
On the stroke of half-time, the hosts' defence was cut wide open, but Manuel Neuer rushed out to smother Rasmus Hojlund’s first-time effort.
There was more drama early in the second half as Andersen, who coolly drilled his strike into the back of the net, was also denied a first international goal for a tight offside call against Thomas Delaney.
At the other end, the defender was then penalised as David Raum's cross struck his arm in the box, and with a penalty awarded after a VAR review, Havertz slotted into the bottom-right corner.
Havertz looked sure to double his tally minutes later after a lovely bit of skill to get in behind Denmark, only to dink his shot over Schmeichel and wide of the far post, while Neuer stood tall to deny Hojlund as Denmark chased an equaliser.
However, Germany got their all-important second through Musiala in the 68th minute, moving it upfield in three passes before the youngster curled in his third goal of Euro 2024.
Florian Wirtz thought he had added some gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time when he poked the ball into an empty net, but he became the third man to be denied by an offside decision.
Havertz closing in on greats
Havertz made a crucial impact for Germany in the second half, despite missing a host of golden opportunities throughout the game.
His penalty was his fourth goal at the Euros overall, with only Jurgen Klinsmann and Mario Gomez, who each found the back of the net five times in the competition, scoring more for Die Nationalelf at the tournament.
He could have moved to the top of that list against Denmark, having five shots in total and missing two big chances.
Meanwhile, Neuer made yet more history at the Euros, making his 19th appearance in the competition to overtake Bastian Schweinsteiger’s national record of 18.
Denmark struggle again
Group C was notoriously short on goalmouth action, with Denmark responsible for two of the seven goals scored, and they continued that trend against Germany.
Before this game, Eriksen was directly involved in 55% of Denmark's 42 shots in that group, attempting 10 and creating 13. He was the creative spark for them in Dortmund too, having (two) shots and creating a further (two) chances.
It has been a tough run at major tournaments for the Red and Whites lately, having only won three of their last 16 matches (seven draws, six losses), with this loss stretching their winless streak to eight such games.
The last time Denmark faced Germany in the knockout stages of a major tournament, they beat them 2-0 in the Euro 1992 final. While Kasper Hjulmand would have hoped that was a good omen, it did not turn out to be the case.
Man City players have 'exciting' chance to fill in for Rodri, says Stones
John Stones says that while Manchester City will miss Rodri, his absence will give other players in the team a chance to shine.
The Spaniard suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that required surgery in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League on September 22.
Rodri played 50 matches in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side last season, proving a key player as they won a fourth-consecutive top-flight title.
The team often struggled without him in the squad though, with their win rate dropping from 76% to 55.6% in the nine games they played without him.
With Kevin De Bruyne also currently on the sidelines, Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan played in midfield in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday.
And Stones, who has also been utilised in midfield by Guardiola in the past, says it is an exciting opportunity for the other players to step into the role.
"He's a big miss for us, we all know that," Stones told TNT Sports.
"We're still in contact off the pitch, and we miss him on there, as we do anyone who gets injured.
"We all wish him a speedy recovery. He's a big presence for us on the pitch in how he plays the game and what he's done over the past few years.
"But then again, we've got incredible players that can play in that position, and it's time and a chance for them to, not step up, but step in and show their qualities, whoever plays in that position which is quite fluid sometimes.
"He'll be a big miss for us this season, as anyone would who had that injury. It's exciting for us as players to fill that position and see what comes of it."
City's next match is against Slavan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Javier Brown's late strike the difference as Portmore United edge Tivoli Gardens 2-1 for first win
Portmore United finally broke their winless run in the 2024/25 Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season when they edged Tivoli Gardens in a come-from-behind 2-1 scoreline at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.
The victory, secured by a late strike from substitute Javier Brown in the 89th minute, marked the St Catherine-based club’s first taste of success after three games, lifting the weight of early season pressure from their shoulders.
Junior Grizzelle (45+1) also struck for Portmore United, after 19-year-old Nickalia Fuller gave Tivoli Gardens a 40th-minute lead.
With the win, Portmore United moved up the standings from 13th to 10th, giving their fans and coach Rudolph Austin reason to hope that a revival is on the cards.
“It was a really good performance by the team; they went out there and they executed what we planned throughout the week, so hats off to them. They showed a lot of character when they went down and came back and won the game so that was brilliant. The fight they showed is the Portmore United I know, work hard, play to the end, and win games.
“That is why we won seven championships, so that is what I want my players to always do; go out and express themselves. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. So hopefully this is the start of a successful run for us but one thing I can tell you is that I won’t let up,” Austin declared in a post-game interview.
Romeo Guthrie marshalled Portmore United's midfield.
The former Reggae Boy turned coach also heaped praise on former Arnett Garden stalwart Romeo Guthrie, whose performance—marked by two assists—reinforced the importance of the team’s creative spark.
But the night belonged to former Vere United captain Brown, the unlikely hero who ensured Portmore United ended with three precious points.
“When I used to play against Vere United, he [Brown] was always in our box, so I knew he had that in him, and he was hungry to deliver for us. But I can’t leave out Guthrie; I think he had a very good game... all the guys played well, but I think Guthrie was outstanding,” Austin added.
The match unfolded as a one-sided affair for the most part, as Portmore United dictated the pace and forced Tivoli Gardens back for long spells. In fact, they peppered Tivoli’s goal with 15 shots, 10 of which were on target, displaying a level of control and intent that had been missing in their earlier fixtures.
Grizzelle fired Portmore United’s first warning shot in the third minute that caught Tivoli Gardens’ goalkeeper Diego Haughton off his line, but the effort kissed the crossbar on its way out.
Five minutes later, Jahien Rose also pulled the trigger from a distance, but that shot was tipped over by Haughton diving full stretch.
Tivoli Gardens later settled and went close through Fuller, who drove into the 18-yard box and got off a left-footed effort that was kept out by Daniel Russell in goal for Portmore United.
However, Fuller, a former Excelsior High standout, broke the deadlock on his second attempt, as he released a delightful left-footed strike from a tight angle outside the 18-yard box that had Russell well beaten.
That was all the West Kingston team would get as they only mustered four shots, with Fuller’s efforts the only two on target.
Such was Portmore United’s dominance from that point on as Guthrie stamped his mark on the game. The industrious playmaker, who was at the heart of most of Portmore United’s attacking moves, provided the assist for the equaliser on the stroke of the interval.
He dispossessed a defender deep in Tivoli Gardens quarters and played off a pass for Grizzelle, whose tap in left Haughton rooted to the spot as they went to the break with the score levelled at 1-1.
Junior Grizzelle scored the opener.
But even with the scores level, the momentum never truly shifted away from Portmore after the interval. They pressed forward relentlessly in a sustained attacking spell that forced Tivoli to defend deep and absorb pressure.
Tedj Bryan should have put Portmore United ahead in the 47th when he picked up a poor clearance from Haughton, but his tame effort was kept out by the custodian, who stuck out the right leg.
They thought they had the breakthrough in the 65th when Okelo Howard played a timely through pass into the final third for Tarick Ximines to finish, but the goal was called back for an offside.
Ximines was at it again in the 75th as he outmuscled a defender on his way towards goal. However, his final effort was denied by Haughton's outstretched right leg.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed the go-ahead goal would elude Portmore United, and they would have to settle for another frustrating draw.
Enter Brown, who replaced Ximines in the attack.
In the dying embers of the match, Guthrie once again turned provider, threading a clever pass into Brown’s path. With a burst of pace and a clinical finish, Brown drove a firm right-footer past the slightly advanced Haughton to send the Portmore bench and fans into frenzy.
Tivoli Gardens Head coach Jerome Waite acknowledged that his team needs to be sharper and more assertive as their defensive effort was found wanting, while their inability to match Portmore United’s intensity was glaring.
“We defeated ourselves because the two goals came from poor defensive errors and Portmore United capitalised on both of them. It is our second game, so we still have a lot of work to do, and at the same time they will have to learn and understand where the system of play is concerned,” Waite said.
Matchweek 3 Results
Harbour View 2, Molynes United 1
Vere United 1, Humble Lion 1
Waterhouse 0, Cavalier 2
Arnett Gardens 1, Racing United 1
Chapelton Maroons 0, Montego Bay United 1
Portmore United 2, Tivoli Gardens 1
Dunbeholden vs Mount Pleasant (Postponed)
Houston Dynamo v New England Revolution: Porter urges visitors to show fighting spirit
Caleb Porter says New England Revolution need to show they are fighters against Houston Dynamo as they look to build on their latest win.
The Revs beat Nashville SC 1-0 at the weekend to move off the foot of the Eastern Conference, snapping a five-match winless streak in the process.
They are just six points off a playoff spot with four games left to play, and Porter is hoping for more of the same mentality to come away with three points.
"We talked a lot last week about just having a better mentality, not being quite as emotional, and just being more steady and having ice in our veins a little bit more," Porter said, as quoted in the Blazing Musket substack.
"We are going to have to, at times, absorb. [Houston] are one of the best possession teams in the league.
"We are going to have to keep the game tight. From here on out, we have to be tough to play against. We are going to keep showing we are fighters, and we are going to be organized."
Meanwhile, Houston clinched their playoff spot at the weekend, despite a 1-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders due to FC Dallas' loss, as they sit sixth in the Western Conference.
It is the second year running they are in the postseason, and head coach Ben Olsen is hopeful they can use that as motivation to get back to winning ways.
"We are excited about being in the postseason and that's a big deal," Olsen said.
"These guys have worked really hard all year to get us into this position. We have a tough team in town in New England, so we have to focus on that as we turn the page on a disappointing result in Seattle."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Griffin Dorsey
The Dynamo held 62.4% possession against the Sounders on Saturday, the 14th time Houston held at least 60% of the ball in 2024, the third-most games on record in an MLS season since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010.
Griffin Dorsey finished the game with a 100% pass completion rate in that defeat, not misplacing any of his 41 passes in the 80 minutes he was on the pitch.
New England Revolution – Aljaz Ivacic
After conceding multiple goals in each of their previous five league matches, New England secured a 1-0 win over Nashville on Saturday.
The Revolution have not kept consecutive regular-season clean sheets since the opening two matches of the 2023 season, with the second of those coming against Houston, and Aljaz Ivacic will be keen to get another shutout.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
New England have won seven of their last nine matches against Houston (D1 L1) dating back to the beginning of the 2014 season. However, the Dynamo's only win in that time came in the last meeting between the sides in Houston, a 3-1 victory in September 2022.
Houston's five-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 loss at Seattle. The Dynamo have not lost consecutive matches in all competitions since losses to Austin FC and FC Dallas in late April.
Meanwhile, New England have lost 13 of their last 17 MLS away matches (incl. playoffs) dating back to the start of October 2023. The Revs have lost their last three on the road, being outscored 9-0 in those games.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 61.1%
Draw – 20.5%
New England Revolution – 18.4%
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