After the big Spanish victory (4-1) against Finland, at the end of the afternoon, these three points are very precious for the players of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg in a very strong group B.

"It's a well-deserved victory," said Voss-Tecklenburg after the match.

"We were not rewarded in the first half despite 3 or 4 very clear chances, and I was relieved when we scored (...) We defended very well and we felt the energy and the concentration to be united as a team and hurt the opponent”, she also judged.

The Germans wanted to erase the memory of the defeat (2-1) in the quarter-finals in 2017 against the same opponents, after having nevertheless led in the score.

German striker Klara Buhl (R) and Danish midfielder Janni Thomsen (L) during the Women's Euro 2022 Group B match in London on July 8, 2022 JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

They took the 3-4-3 proposed by the Scandinavians by the throat, imposing heavy pressure and creating several very clear chances, particularly from the right where Svenja Huth was untenable for the first 25 minutes.

Despite 63% possession at the break, the advantage was only one goal for Germany, scored by Lena Magull who had blocked a clearance from Stine Pedersen to closely beat Lene Christensen, with a shot in full skylight (1-0, 21st).

A completely logical advantage, Felicitas Rauch having touched the bar from 25 meters (13th), while Christensen had made some good parades against Magull, already (18th), or Lea Schüller (45 + 1).

The Danish door was still used to repel a long shot from Magull (56th) for a corner, but on the corner that followed, Schüller, with a header, ended up doubling the bet.

Entering the hour mark, Lena Lattwein (3-0, 78th) and Alexandra Popp (4-0, 86th) took care of the goal difference which could be important to decide between the first two who will face the qualified group in the quarter A where England and Norway play in particular.

For Denmark, where Pernille Harder was almost invisible, and who was only dangerous on a strike from Signe Bruun well repelled by Merle Frohms (29th).

German striker Svenja Huth (g) and Denmark's Rikke Madsen (d) during the Women's Football Euro on July 8, 2022 in London JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

"The match did not go as we had hoped for many reasons. Firstly because Germany played very well," said Danish coach Lars Sondergaard, who nevertheless lamented that his team " wasn't very good at keeping the ball.

"After the first goal, our confidence evaporated," he added, while assuring that his players "are not going to give up".

They will have to win Tuesday against Finland, while Germany and Spain, the two teams with a victory in the group, will face each other.

© 2022 AFP