Slovenia vs Denmark LIVE: Euro 2024 result and reaction as Janza grabs draw after emotional Eriksen goal
Slovenia 1-1 Denmark: Christian Eriksen scored a goal that tugged on the heartstrings in his first Euros appearance since collapsing on the pitch but Denmark could only earn a point
Slovenia fought back to earn a battling point against Denmark as Christian Eriksen was denied an emotional winner on his return to European Championship football.
Danish talisman Eriksen suffered a heart attack in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland, but looked to have set his side on course for victory three years on after finishing off a clever move from a throw-in on the right. Eriksen, who had to be brought back to life when he last featured in the Euros, was mobbed by his team mates after giving his side a 17th-minute lead.
But despite dominating possession, Denmark struggled to create clear openings, with Jan Oblak forced into only one save from a sliding Rasmus Hojlund. It left them vulnerable to a late Slovenia leveller, which arrived mere moments after striker Benjamin Sesko had struck the woodwork from distance: a bouncing ball was lashed into Morten Hjulmand by left-back Erik Janza, deflecting past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel in goal to earn Slovenia a 1-1 draw and a potentially valuable point.
Denmark, though, will have disappointed to have ceded a position of strength with tough fixtures against England and Serbia to come in Group C at Euro 2024.
Re-live all of the action from Denmark v Slovenia:
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 60 minutes
Benjamin Sesko takes a forward pass deftly with the side of his foot, though had strayed offside when the ball was played. It’s not quite happened for the in-demand striker so far.
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 57 minutes
Denmark have just put their foot on the ball again, so to speak, after that flurry of Slovenian activity around their area. A second goal would kill the contest off, you’d say.
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 54 minutes
A first caution of the match, the yellow card shown rather harshly to Petar Stojanovic after he trips Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Stojanovic doesn’t look best pleased, marching back and spitting at the floor.
And the free kick nearly results in an own goal! Andreas Christensen flicks it into the chest of the defender beyond him, and Jan Oblak is motionless as he watches it go a yard or so past his post.
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 52 minutes
Another long throw causes chaos in the Denmark box. The ball eventually ricochets away, but the Swiss referee Sandro Scharer brings us to a halt after a chirp in his ear from VAR Fedayi San. Quickly cleared and on we go, but those hurls look like they might just bring joy for Slovenia at some stage.
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 50 minutes
Almost an equaliser! Erik Janza launches a long throw in the general direction of Kasper Schmiechel, who stays on his line even as it lands inside his six-yard box. Andraz Sporar is therefore favourite for it, the striker having got the run on Jannik Vestergaard, but he can’t make contact!
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 48 minutes
Rasmus Hojlund and Vanja Drkusic have enjoyed their battle today, each man giving the other plenty of physicality. The Slovenia defender slides in firmly on the Denmark striker, who bumps him with his shoulder when they next interact.
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 46 minutes
No half-time changes, it would appear.
Second half...
I don’t think Matjaz Kek was a particularly happy man after that first half. His side haven’t done too badly defensively but they must surely be looking for more threat going forward. Can they get Benjamin Sesko more involved?
HT: Slovenia 0-1 Denmark
A half highlighted by a beautiful goal and a beautiful moment that has Denmark deservedly in front. We anticipated that they would dominate possession in Stuttgart, and Slovenia have not been able to disrupt them. It had to be Christian Eriksen to get the goal, the midfielder breaking into the box to latch on to a clever flick for a Jonas Wind-assisted opener.
Clear sightings of Jan Oblak’s net have been relatively few and far between since, but Denmark will be content as they munch on their oranges.
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