Copenhagen, March 24 (BNA): Rasmus Höglund scored a stunning hat-trick as Denmark beat Finland 3-1 at Parken, starting their European Championship Group H qualifying campaign on a winning note.
Playmaker Christian Eriksen was already out with an ankle injury, and Danish defender Andreas Christensen lost his leg to a leg injury in the 18th minute, but the home fans celebrated three minutes later when Hoglund scored the first goal.
Martin Braithwaite deployed the ball on the right and into the path of full-back Alexander Bah, and Hoglund’s cross was brilliantly received by Hoglund, who drove it brilliantly to give his team the lead.
Finland responded eight minutes into the second half with a swift and decisive counter-attack, with Teemu Pukki tapping in a quick kick before Oliver Antman slotted in to score.
Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecki then took over for the Finns, making a string of phenomenal saves to deny Hooglund’s Joachim Mahle and Mikkel Damsgaard two tries as the game appeared to be heading for a draw.
However, the 20-year-old Hooglund rattled home from close range in the 82nd minute to put his side back in front and then fired home in injury time to complete a hat-trick in his third international appearance, sealing it out. The three points for Denmark.