Euro 2024 is ongoing, and we are in the knockout stage of the competition. In the second game of today, hosts Germany took on Denmark in a round of 16 clash at the Signal Iduna Park. Controversy ensued in the second half, with the score tied at 0-0. Joachim Andersen thought he had given Denmark the lead when he fired home a loose ball in the area. VAR, however, had other ideas as the goal was ruled out for an offside in the buildup. Denmark also had claims for a penalty that was not given during the same incident.
To add insult to injury, Germany were awarded a penalty moments later when Andersen, who scored the disallowed goal for Denmark, was penalized for a handball in the area. Germany's Kai Havertz subsequently dispatched the spot kick to give the host nation the lead. This sequence of events sparked reactions from fans, many of whom believe that Denmark were robbed, in one way or another. After reviewing the incidents, however, I don't believe that Denmark were robbed, but the decisions were fair and correct.
Here's an analysis of each incident in the sequence:
1. Disallowed goal
The goal for Denmark was disallowed due to an offside in the build up. The semi automated offside technology in place revealed that Thomas Delaney was offside by the slimmest of margins before he knocked the ball down and it eventually ended in the path of Andersen, who scored the goal. It's harsh, but it is factually correct.
Verdict: Correct decision
Andersen's goal was disallowed because Thomas Delaney's foot was offside.
2. Potential penalty to Denmark
In the same sequence, Denmark appealed for a potential penalty when Delaney was dragged down by Havertz, just before Andersen scored the goal. However those appeals hold no weight because while it was indeed a foul by Havertz, it occured after the offside, and as such it was meaningless.
Verdict: Correct decision
3. Penalty to Germany
Moments after the sequence that occured in the German box, more controversy ensued in the Danish box as Joachim Andersen was penalized for a handball in the area and Germany were awarded a penalty. Some are of the opinion that is was a soft call, and should not have been awarded. I, however, beg to differ. This is because Andersen's arm was in an unnatural position, and altered the trajectory of the cross.
Verdict: Correct decision.
Joachim Anderson was correctly penalized for a handball in the area
So the referee and the VAR were correct in all incidents. Kai Havertz would go on to dispatch the penalty to give Germany the lead, while Jamal Musiala delivered the killer blow soon after to seal a 2-0 win for the hosts, who march on to the quarter finals where they will face either Spain or Georgia.