Nicklas Bendtner, 11, scored three times for Denmark in a match with the USA National Soccer Team, leading Denmark to a 3-2 victory. (Getty)
Final Score
USA 1-1— 2
Denmark 1-2— 3
The USA Mens National Soccer team went to Denmark for an International friendly with Denmark and led 1-0 and 2-1, but the Nicklas Bendtner-led Danish National team earned a gritty 3-2 win. The Wolfsburg striker had a hat trick to fuel the hosts Denmark, commanding the area in front of USA goalie Nick Rimando.
Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in the 19th minute, scoring a goal that went against the pace of play, which Denmark was dominating. Tim Chandler moved the ball inside to Altidore, who found the back of the net for the second time of 2015. The US would finish the first half only having the ball for 35 percent of the time, so this goal provided encouragement for the rest of the game. The pressure on the right flank against John Brooks led to Denmark tying the game, as leading scorer Nicklas Bendtner tapped in a ball in front of the net unmarked.
The second half opened with many substitutes, custom for most friendlies, and the US made the most of the substitutes. Brek Shea came on and provided energy and, in the 66th minute, Michael Bradley sent an outstanding service to Altidore in the box. The American striker had a direct route to the net, but deferred to strike partner Aron Johnnsson, who got on the end of the pass with three Danish defenders on his trail to score the second goal of the game for the Americans.
After more substitutions in the last 20 minutes, most namely the introduction of Ventura Alvarado, Denmark attacked the US net furiously. First, the Danes were able to send a cross into the box from Jacob Poulsen that found Bendtner in the box for his 28th goal for the Danish national team. Then, in stoppage time, Danish captain Christian Eriksen sent a beautiful lob towards Nikolas Bendtner in the middle of the field. The striker digested the pass, took a heavy touch, and directed the ball past Nick Rimando in the 91st minute to give Denmark the lead. John Brooks had an opportunity in the 93rd minute to level the game for the USA, but his unmarked header went wide.
The USA will play Switzerland next on March 31st. Denmark will play France on March 29th but is returning to European Championship Qualification on June 13th against Serbia.
Here are some of the highlights from this hotly contested game:
Jozy Altidore Opened the Scoring in the 19th Minute For The United States
Jozy Altidore scored his 4th goal for the USA in six games against Denmark to give the USA a 1-0 lead. He took a pass one time from Tim Chandler and opened the scoring in the game. The United States only had 35% possession in the first half, so the goal from Altidore gave the United States a lot to be pleased with going into the half.
Nicklas Bendtner Tied The Game At 1-1 In The 33rd Minute
Nicklas Bendtner scored his 27th goal for Denmark to tie their game with the USA at 1-1. There was a scramble in front of the net and Bendtner had the ball lay at his feet for a tap in past USA goalie Nick Rimando. Denmark had 65% possession in the half, mostly through the right flank, so the crosses off of the wing were going to lead to a goal eventually.
Aron Johannsen Gave The United States A 2-1 Lead In The 66th Minute
Michael Bradley sent a ball over the top to Jozy Altidore, who tipped it to Aron Johannsson for his 3rd goal with the USA national team. The goal gave the USA a 2-1 lead and was a tight finish for Johannsson. Altidore seemed to have the better angle for the net, but he passed to Johannsson who one-timed the ball behind Danish goalie Stephan Andersen.
Nicklas Bendtner Scored His Second Goal of The Game in The 83rd Minute
Jakob Poulsen crossed the ball into the box from the left flank and Lasse Schöne headed the ball down to Nicklas Bendtner, who finished for his second goal on the far post.
Nicklas Bendtner Finished His Hat Trick in The 91st Minute
A through ball from Christian Eriksen led to Nicklas Bendtner’s third goal for Denmark. He took the ball with one heavy touch and arched it to the far side of USA goalie Nick Rimando. The United States had brought on defender Ventura Alvarado to make his International debut and he was beat on both the second and third goals for Bendtner. The international hat trick for Bendtner is his first and his three goals give him five goals in his past three games for Denmark.
Game Statistics
Goals: Altidore (19′), Johannssen (66′), USA ; Bendtner, Denmark (33′, 83′, 91′)
Shots (on goal): Denmark 12 (4), United States 4 (2)
Tackles: Denmark 14, United States 13
Fouls: United States 17, Denmark 13
Possession: Denmark 60%, United States 40%
Yellow Card: Kvist, Denmark (24′); Alvarado, USA (89′)
Lineups
USA
Starters (4-4-2): Rimando; Chandler, Orozco, Brooks, Garza; Zardes, Bedoya, Bradley (c), Johnson; Altidore, Johannsson
Subs: Yedlin, Ream, Morales, Ibarra, Shea, Williams, Green, Rubin, Alvarado, Yarbrough
Denmark
Starters (4-3-3: Anderson; Wass, Kjaer, Sviatchenko, Boilesen; Kvist, Krohn-Dehli, Poulsen; Eriksen (c), Bendtner, Vibe
Subs:Schmeichel, Lössl, Jacobsen, Jorgensen, Hansen, Schöne, Poulsen, Delaney, Christiansen, Braithwaite
Preview
Team USA will be without captain Clint Dempsey, but will have a strong roster headed to Europe for matchups with Denmark and Switzerland. Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and DeAndre Yedlin headline a USA roster that is back in action after more than a month break. A 2-0 win over Panama in Carson City, CA on February 8th was urged on by strikes by Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, giving the National Team their first win of 2015. In their first game of the year on January 28th, the team lost in Chile to their national team 3-2. The USA National Team has not won on foreign soil since September 3rd, 2014.
Denmark has not played November 18th, 2014, when they lost 2-0 to Romania in an International Friendly. Their major focus is on qualifying for the 2016 European Championships in France, where they won their last game against Serbia 3-1. Denmark sits one point ahead of Portugal in Group I of the Qualification Round. Denmark plays Serbia again on June 13th.