In their first match of the 2017 EURO group stage, Portland Thorns FC's Nadia Nadim and the Danes took home three points in a 1-0 victory over Belgium this Sunday.
Denmark took advantage of Belgium’s nerves to score a goal in the early part of the game, and went on to ride their 1-0 lead to the final whistle. Nadim, who contributed 71 strong minutes for the Danes, created some dangerous opportunities and impressive touches throughout the match.
The lone goal came in the sixth minute as Danish captain Pernille Harder took a free kick just outside the box. The shot was initially saved by Belgian keeper Justien Odeurs but then ricocheted off the cross bar, allowing Sanne Troelsgaard to head the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.
After reaching the semifinals in 2013 without a single regular time win, the Danes have recorded their first in as many 2017 EURO games. They currently sit atop Group A in a share of first place with the Netherlands.
<strong>P</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>D</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>Pts</strong> |
|
<strong>Denmark</strong> |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
<strong>Netherlands</strong> |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
<strong>Belgium</strong> |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
<strong>Norway</strong> |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
On Tuesday, Thorns FC teammates Amandine Henry and Dagný Brynjarsdóttir matched up in Tilburg as France secured their first EURO 2017 victory, 1-0. In a game that featured fierce competition between the Portland teammates, France emerged the victor thanks to a PK in the 86th minute.
Iceland’s defense had frustrated France through 85 minutes until Henry was brought down inside the box by Iceland’s Elin Jensen.
With the ball on the spot and a chance to convert, Eugénie Le Sommer buried her shot in the opposite direction of keeper Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir, putting France up by a score of 1-0. France went on to close out their victory and collect three points in the group-stage match.
<strong>P</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>D</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>Pts</strong> |
|
<strong>Austria</strong> |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
<strong>France</strong> |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
<strong>Iceland</strong> |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
<strong>Switzerland</strong> |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Each national team will play two more games in the group stage, vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. Denmark, France, and Iceland’s next games are as follows:
