Copenhagen: Kevin de Bruyne turned hero for Belgium after he inspired a fightback in the second-half following a sluggish first half, winning the match against Denmark for 2-1 on Thursday. De Bruyne helped set up the equalizer for Belgium and scored the winner, even though Denmark took a second-minute lead.
The Danes were in an attacking mood from the start as they opened their score at a mere 90 seconds. Belgium's Jason Denayer's erratic pass out of defence ended up at Danes' Youssef Poulsen boot which he successfully fired at the far corner of the post.
Denmark was on a positive spree, winning every challenge, found two more chances in the next five minutes. Danish defender Joakim Maehle also brought a smart save of Thibaut Courtois. Though Belgium didn't allow Danes a score a second, they couldn't make their own attack in the first half.
At the start of the second half entered Bruyne, his first appearance after a facial injury during the Champions League final. His entry ultimately resulted in Belgium's victory. Thorgan Hazard scored the equalizer after Romalu Lukaku passed to De Bruyne, and he squared the ball to Hazard in the 52nd minute.
Denmark seemed tired, which totally changed the game after the equalizer. In the 71st minute, De Bruyne scored, putting Belgium ahead. He drilled a left-footer from 25 meters after a move involving Lukaku and Eden Hazard.
Nearing the end, Martin Brathwaite saw a shot saved by Courtois. Also, Kasper Schmeichel's attempt for an injury-time corner failed to meet the scores.
In the beginning, Danish players were in a spirit to win and dedicate to Christian Eriksen, who was hospitalized after collapsing during their last match against Finland. During the 10th minute, the game was interrupted with one-minute applause for him from fans, players, officials etc., from both sides.