Media caption,

Germany come from behind to beat Denmark

Germany extended their 100% record at Euro 2025 to qualify for the quarter-finals with a comeback win over Denmark in Basel that was tinged with controversy.

Their place in the knockout stages was confirmed alongside Sweden, who beat Poland 3-0 later on Tuesday - a result that also put the Poles and Danes out of the competition.

Eight-time champions Germany had two video assistant referee (VAR) decisions ruled against them in the first half, with a Klara Buhl goal disallowed and a penalty claim overturned.

Buhl found the bottom corner with a first-time drive, but the effort was ruled offside as Sjoeke Nusken touched the ball as it flew into the net.

It was Denmark instead who claimed a surprise opener in the 26th minute against the run of play when Amalie Vangsgaard's powerful strike from a loose ball beat Ann-Katrin Berger at her near post.

Germany had the chance to level from the penalty spot when Frederikke Thogersen handled a cross in the area, but VAR overturned the decision after spotting the Danish defender was outside the box for the infringement.

Frustrated by their first-half display, the Germans returned with the bit between their teeth and got the equaliser they craved through a Nusken penalty in the 56th minute - awarded by VAR after Katrine Veje was deemed to have clipped Linda Dallmann in the area.

Christian Wuck's side built momentum and piled the pressure on Denmark, who conceded again 10 minutes later when Lea Schuller found space in the box before unleashing an effort into the bottom corner.

But that followed a head injury to Denmark's Emma Snerle, who was caught by a clearance straight into her face from team-mate Emma Faerge. Referee Catarina Campos did not stop play, despite Snerle being on the ground and clearly needing treatment, and Germany collected the loose ball with Jule Brand setting up Schuller to score the winner.

Midfielder Snerle was in a dazed and distressed state as she was helped off the pitch and replaced by Josefine Hasbo before the game restarted.

Denmark boss Andree Jeglertz, who will be taking charge of Manchester City after the Euros, was critical of Portuguese official Campos for allowing play to continue for Germany to snatch the decisive second goal.

"We need to make the rules clear," he said afterwards. "If you get a player that has a serious head injury, my view is you need to blow the whistle, you need to take responsibility as the referee. I don't understand why she doesn't stop the game."

Despite a late push, Denmark were unable to find a way back and have failed to qualify for a second successive Euros. Germany are second in Group C on six points with Sweden, who are top on goal difference.

Media caption,

Germany take the lead after controversial incident in build-up

What was the main talking point?

Much has been said about the length of time taken for VAR decisions to be made at Euro 2025 so far and this game resulted in far more questions than answers.

There were long delays for both first-half VAR decisions against Germany, with seven minutes of time added on before the break.

With confusion among players and supporters alike inside the stadium, boos rang around St. Jakob-Park after both outcomes.

When Buhl thought she had scored the opener, both sets of players stood in position waiting to restart the game and a decision was eventually communicated three minutes and two seconds after the ball hit the back of the net.

It also took two minutes and 30 seconds to overturn the penalty awarded to Germany, with a message shown on screen to confirm the ball was handled outside the area.

Germany had a penalty awarded in their favour after the break, but it took two minutes and 22 seconds for the referee to point to the spot after the referee checked the pitchside monitor to confirm Veje's foul on Dallmann.

Ex-England defender Lindsay Johnson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "All of these VAR checks so far in the tournament have taken far too long for a decision to be made."

Media caption,

VAR overturns penalty awarded to Germany

Which players stood out?

Carlotta Wamser  celebratesImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Carlotta Wamser was making only her fourth appearance for Germany

Carlotta Wamser started at right-back for Germany in place of their captain Giulia Gwinn, who was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering a medial ligament injury in the opening win over Poland last week.

A key figure in both attack and defence, Gwinn was crucial to the way Wuck's side play, but Wamser more than held her own as a replacement. She had her hands full with Sara Holmgaard's lively runs down Denmark's left-hand side, but coped with the pressure well and made some impressive attacking runs too.

The 21-year-old also came close to drawing Germany level from distance in the 40th minute, but was denied by an impressive diving save from Maja Ostergaard.

There is no doubting Pernille Harder's talent, but the Denmark captain had a quiet game and was unable to make an impact.

She made some smart runs in the first half, but did not have the support from her team-mates in attack to trouble the German defence.

The standout stats

Germany have now won seven Women's European Championship group-stage games in a row, conceding just two goals across those games.

Denmark have lost their opening two group games at Euros for the first time, but Vangsgaard's goal ended a run of 250 minutes without them scoring in the tournament.

Chelsea midfielder Nusken has three goals in her last nine appearances for Germany, as many as in her first 38 caps for the national team, while Schuller has netted in four successive games in all competitions for the first time.

Lea Schuller celebratesImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Lea Schuller has scored in both of Germany's games at Euro 2025

What's next for these teams?

The final round of Group C games take place at the same time of 20:00 BST on Saturday, with Germany facing Sweden in Zurich to determine who finishes top of the group, while Denmark play already-eliminated Poland in Lucerne.

Player of the match

Number: 21 A. Vangsgaard
Average rating 7.82
Number: 14 C. Zicai
Average Rating: 7.25
Number: 18 G. Hoffmann
Average Rating: 6.92
Number: 19 K. Bühl
Average Rating: 6.64
Number: 9 S. Nüsken
Average Rating: 6.63
Number: 22 J. Brand
Average Rating: 6.50
Number: 11 L. Schüller
Average Rating: 6.50
Number: 10 L. Freigang
Average Rating: 6.46
Number: 20 E. Senß
Average Rating: 6.27
Number: 16 L. Dallmann
Average Rating: 6.23
Number: 2 S. Linder
Average Rating: 6.21
Number: 6 J. Minge
Average Rating: 6.21
Number: 4 R. Knaak
Average Rating: 6.20
Number: 1 A. Berger
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 3 K. Hendrich
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 5 C. Wamser
Average Rating: 5.94

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone