Germany advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 with a 2-1 hard-fought victory over Denmark in their last Group B match in Lviv.
Lukas Podolski marked his 100th Germany appearance with a goal in the 19th minute, thumping home a powerful shot from seven yards out after Mario Gómez set him up with a deft backheel touch.
But Denmark hit back within six minutes as Michael Krohn-Dehli diverted Nicklas Bendtner's header past Manuel Neuer from six yards out.
With the sides still deadlocked as the final 10 minutes approached, a winner for Denmark would have dropped Germany to third in the group since Portugal had taken the lead against the Netherlands in Kharkiv.
However, Lars Bender eased German nerves when he steered past Stephan Andersen for his first international goal.
Joachim Löw's troops will now face Euro 2004 champions Greece on Friday in Gdańsk.
Lineups:
Denmark: Stephan Andersen; Lars Jacobsen, Simn Kjær, Daniel Agger, Simon Poulsen; William Kvist; Christian Eriksen, Jakob Poulsen (Tobias Mikkelsen, 82), Niki Zimling (Christian Poulsen, 78), Michael Krohn-Dehli; Nicklas Bendtner
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Lars Bender, Mats Hummels, Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm; Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Thomas Müller (Toni Kroos, 84), Mesut Özil, Lukas Podolski (André Schürrle, 64) Mario Gómez (Miroslav Klose, 74)
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| Denmark goalkeeper Stephan Andersen fails to save a goal from Germany fprward Lukas Podolski Photo: Getty Images |
Lukas Podolski marked his 100th Germany appearance with a goal in the 19th minute, thumping home a powerful shot from seven yards out after Mario Gómez set him up with a deft backheel touch.
But Denmark hit back within six minutes as Michael Krohn-Dehli diverted Nicklas Bendtner's header past Manuel Neuer from six yards out.
With the sides still deadlocked as the final 10 minutes approached, a winner for Denmark would have dropped Germany to third in the group since Portugal had taken the lead against the Netherlands in Kharkiv.
However, Lars Bender eased German nerves when he steered past Stephan Andersen for his first international goal.
Joachim Löw's troops will now face Euro 2004 champions Greece on Friday in Gdańsk.
Lineups:
Denmark: Stephan Andersen; Lars Jacobsen, Simn Kjær, Daniel Agger, Simon Poulsen; William Kvist; Christian Eriksen, Jakob Poulsen (Tobias Mikkelsen, 82), Niki Zimling (Christian Poulsen, 78), Michael Krohn-Dehli; Nicklas Bendtner
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Lars Bender, Mats Hummels, Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm; Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Thomas Müller (Toni Kroos, 84), Mesut Özil, Lukas Podolski (André Schürrle, 64) Mario Gómez (Miroslav Klose, 74)
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