Last-gasp Kahlenberg crushes Iceland

Thomas Kahlenberg struck a minute into added time to earn Denmark a 1-0 win against Iceland in their opening match in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying and consign Group H rivals Iceland to a second successive defeat.

The VfL Wolfsburg midfielder turned in Dennis Rommedahl's cross to reward the home side for some sustained pressure and finally beat visiting goalkeeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson who came so close to earning his side a point in front of 18,908 at Parken.

The day had not started well for Denmark who had first-choice goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen ruled out because of complications with his long-term elbow injury, allowing Anders Lindegaard to make his debut in his absence. The 26-year-old did not have much to do in a first half Denmark dominated. The hosts were particularly dangerous with crosses from Rommedahl and Lars Jacobsen on the right, but Nicklas Pedersen, Kahlenberg and Michael Krohn-Dehli all missed the chances that came their way.

Iceland came more into the game at the start of the second half but Rurik Gislason and Gylfi Thor Sigurdsson were both denied by Lindegaard. At the other end Kahlenberg and Daniel Agger were unsuccessful with shots from distance and it looked like the game was heading for a draw until Rommedahl sent in another cross that this time Kahlenberg drove low into the goal. Denmark will hope to build on these three points on 8 October when they visit Portugal, the same opponents Iceland will host four days later.