Denmark 1-2 Germany: Stuffy Danes eventually defeated by Lars Bender strike

STV

Germany secured the tournament's only 100% record in the group stages with a 2-1 win over an organised and efficient Denmark team.

Joachim Loew's side had beaten Portugal and Netherlands, but could still have crashed out if they lost to Morten Olsen's team, with Portugal winning the night's other game go reach six points.

The Germans attacked early, with chances created by Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller, but Denmark hit back with a Nicklas Bendtner header from a corner.

The deadlock was broken on 19 minutes when Lukas Podolski swept a low cross into the net, the goal marking his 100th cap for his country.

The lead was held for just five minutes though, as Michael Krohn-Dehli equalised for Denmark with his second goal of the tournament.

Germany were content to hold on to the ball in the second period and probed for space while Denmark intended to catch them on the break.

A long range Niki Zimling effort and a header by Nicklas Bendtner showed that the Danes were still in it, but on 80m minutes the contest swung back to Germany.

Good work by the substitute Miroslav Klose set up right back Lars Bender, in the side for the suspended Jerome Boateng, and he finished low and hard past Stephan Andersen.

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