Greatest Comebacks: Italy 2-3 Denmark

This edition takes us back to September 7th, 1999. Italy vs Denmark, in Turino. The qualifiers for the European Championships was on a knife edge. With just two games to go three teams (Italy, Denmark and Switzerland) were still within a change of making it from this intense group.

The message was clear. Italy win and they secure top spot with a game to go. Denmark win and they secure second spot, at least.

FIRST HALF

The game started at a lightening pace with Denmark controlling the early play. They looked like a team with a mission.

Soon though, the Italians managed to slow the game down and started to spread the ball around with relative ease.

Denmark were made to run around and chase the ball and they were doing everything they could to halt Italy's passing.

But to no avail!

Italy went in front after just ten minutes when Diego Fuser gave them the lead.

After the goal, Denmark upped their tempo and started playing some of the most excilarating football I've ever seen them play.

But again, to no avail.

Martin Jørgensen was guilty of missing a host of chances, including an open goal.

Italy took advantage, like all top sides do and doubled their lead on 34 minutes, when an on-fire Cristian Vieri did what he does best. Score goals!

With things starting to look bleak for the Danes, they were given a glimmer of hope when they were awarded a penalty.

Jørgensen stepped up and coolly slotted home the spot kick in the 39 minute.

The match slowed down in the last few minutes of the first half and Italy went into half time with a 2-1 lead.

SECOND HALF

Coach Bo Johansson must have given the team a real beating during half time because in the second half, the Danes came out flying.

Jon Dahl Tomasson was put through on goal in 48th minute but was brilliantly denied by goal keeper Buffon.

Three minutes later, Tomasson was put through again but he fired his shot wide.

However, by now Denmark were camped inside Italy's half and on 57 minutes, they were rewarded.

A corner was curled in and after Italy failed to clear their lines, Morten Wieghorst bundled in the equaliser.

Denmark continued to press forward in impressive fashion and the Italians were panicking.

Five minutes later, on 63 minutes and the comeback was complete. Star striker Tomasson scored a beautifully created goal and did his nation proud.

[Stadio Del Alpi] was stunned into silence!!

After overcoming the shock of conceding two goals in five minutes, Italy began playing the sort of football that made the world champions just ten years ago.

After a neat little one-two, Marco Delvecchio was through on goal but could not fire past Schmeichel's huge frame.

A few minutes later, a corner was fired in and after a couple of rebounds, the ball was touched goal-bound by Vieri but it rolled agonisingly wide.

Denmark were hanging on!!

On 85 minutes Vieri's header was denied by Schmeichel and the follow-up from Stefano Fiore was also smothered by the big Dane. He was proving to be an impossible figure to beat in the second half.

Italy were throwing everything at the Danish goal but nothing was going for them.

Finally the referee blew his whistle to end a truly incredible night. Denmark had done the impossible.

Denmark now had put themselves at the top of the group having two points more than Italy. 

The Italians though, had a game in hand and a win would still secure them top spot.

As it turned out, the Azzurri won the group with 15 points. Denmark and Switzerland followed close in second and third with 14 points each.

Denmark subsequently went through to the play-off due to better record in the head-to-head count. (Switzerland 1-1 Denmark, Denmark 2-1 Switzerland) 

In the play-offs, they easily disposed of Israel 8-0 on aggregate (3-0 and 0-5) to reach Euro 2000.

Check out my first edition of these series by following the link below.

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