De Bruyne turns it around for Belgium as fans and players salute Eriksen

2021-06-17 18:36:12 GMT2021-06-18 02:36:12(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

COPENHAGEN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Kevin de Bruyne came on as a halftime substitute to lead a Belgium fightback from one goal down against Denmark to a 2-1 win in Copenhagen.

Denmark had taken a second minute lead thanks to Youssef Poulsen's goal and dominated the first 45 minutes with an aggressive display that had the Belgians on the back foot.

De Bruyne's entry at the start of the second half totally changed the game and he was involved in the buildup for Thorgan Hazard's 52nd minute equalizer, squaring for Hazard to slide the ball home after a surging run from Romalu Lukaku.

The Manchester City midfielder then drilled home the winning goal from 25 meters after another flowing move involving Lukaku and Eden Hazard.

Martin Braithwaite went close to an equalizer for Denmark, but Belgium held on and nearly added a third in injury time when Kasper Schmeichel was caught out of his ground after going forward for a corner.

The game was also memorable for an emotional 10th minute ovation from fans, both sets of players and officials for Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is recovering in hospital after collapsing in Denmark's opening game of the tournament. Enditem

| PRINT | RSS