Denmark Advances to Euro 2024 Last 16 After 0-0 Draw with Serbia

Denmark advanced to the last 16 at the European Championship following a 0-0 draw with Serbia on Tuesday.

Their next challenge will be against host nation Germany on Saturday in Dortmund.

“Playing against Germany here with the Danish team, it can't be better, can't wait,” Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said. “It's a great team but we're a great team as well. And when we play the big nations, we always step up.”

The Danes concluded Group C with three points, the same as Slovenia, but secured second place due to a better disciplinary record. Slovenia, which drew 0-0 with group-winner England, also advanced to the knockout stage at Euro 2024.

Despite Serbia's need for a win to progress, Denmark had most of the chances, primarily through Christian Eriksen, who was making a record 133rd appearance for his country.

Denmark and Slovenia were tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored. Both teams also received six yellow cards. However, Denmark had a better disciplinary record after Slovenia assistant coach Milivoje Novakovic received a yellow card in the opening match against Denmark.

Serbia finished just one point behind.

“We're disappointed because of the result. We haven't been able to make the step that was lacking,” Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic said. “We were looking for this one opportunity, one goal, but unfortunately we didn't succeed.

“This is football. We have to be very proud. Serbia showed themselves positively in a very even group.”

Slovenia's draw against England also eliminated Croatia, which finished third in Group B.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé scored his first goal at a European Championship in France's 1-1 draw with Poland. France finished runner-up in Group D behind Austria, which beat the Netherlands 3-2.

Mbappé, who wore a mask after breaking his nose in France's opening game against Austria, scored from the penalty spot. Robert Lewandowski equalized with a spot kick to give already-eliminated Poland its first point of the tournament.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic was present in the stadium in Munich to support Serbia, and he walked onto the field before the match to chants of “Nole, Nole” from Serbian fans.

Tuesday's match saw the longest wait for the first attempt in a Euro 2024 game, with Denmark defender Alexander Bah heading the ball wide in the 16th minute.

Denmark came closer five minutes later when Eriksen's shot was pushed around the right post by Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Denmark put the ball in the net shortly after, but it was disallowed because Jonas Wind had wrestled Rajkovic to the ground as both players and the ball went over the line following a corner from Eriksen.

Serbia also had a goal ruled out early in the second half. Luka Jovic, one of three halftime substitutes for Serbia, was offside before Joachim Andersen bundled the ball into his own net.

Disappointed Serbian fans threw plastic cups onto the field after the disallowed goal, causing a brief stoppage as stewards cleared the debris.