Henrik Dalsgaard's last-gasp goal helps Denmark draw Switzerland

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:24 am

Denmark's Henrik Dalsgaard scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to complete an incredible comeback from three goals down as they drew 3-3 away to Switzerland in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Tuesday.

The Swiss were on the verge of making it two wins out of two at the start of their Group D campaign but Dalsgaard outjumped goalkeeper Yann Sommer to head home and earn an unlikely point.

The home team broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Remo Freuler beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a cool finish for his first international goal.

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka hammered home a 20-metre shot in the 66th and Breel Embolo made it 3-0 from close range 10 minutes later after Manuel Akanji headed across goal.

But Denmark astonishingly fought valiantly to secure a draw with goals by Mathias Jorgensen, substitute Christian Gytkjaer and Dalsgaard in the last 10 minutes.

"I don't think it's luck," said Denmark coach Age Hareide. "We came back as a new team in the second half but two more goals made it terrible for the players and us on the touchline.

"You're driven from heaven to hell in football - that's why I'm still doing it. It can be difficult to understand football sometimes. It was a funny game because in the first half we were far from the team that we expected to be.

"But every player in this team has a big heart. We're desperate to qualify for the tournament in 2020."

In the other Group D game, Ireland beat Georgia 1-0 after Conor Hourihane beat keeper Giorgi Loria with a brilliant free kick to score his first international goal in Mick McCarthy's first home game since he returned as coach for a second spell.

Ireland, who battled to a 1-0 win away to rank outsiders Gibraltar in blustery conditions in their opener on Saturday, are top with six points. Switzerland, who beat Georgia 2-0 in Tbilisi in their first match, are second with four points.

Ireland travel to Denmark on June 7, while the Swiss are not in qualifying action until they visit the Irish on Sept. 5.