Denmark edge out Iceland at the last

Denmark qualified for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament for the first time since hosting the event in 2011 after drawing the second leg of their play-off 1-1 away to Iceland to advance on the away-goals rule.

After a goalless first leg in Aalborg last Friday, Nicolaj Thomsen finally broke the deadlock for the visitors in Reykjavik when he fired in from close range in the 90th minute. Holmbert Fridjonsson drew Iceland level from the penalty spot three minutes into added time, but it was not enough prevent Denmark from earning a place in the Czech Republic next June.

Denmark dominated early on and only Frederick Schram's brilliant save from Andreas Christensen's close-range, point-blank header in the 13th minute kept the scores level. At the other end Jannik Vestergaard's goal-bound effort was deflected over, but it was Denmark who ended the half in the ascendancy. Iceland captain Sverrir Ingason did well to keep out Andreas Cornelius's attempt with Schram off his line, then Youssef Toutouh fired the rebound narrowly wide. 

The game opened up in the closing stages and as extra time loomed, Denmark finally found a way through. Jonas Knudsen's long throw flicked off Cornelius's shoulder and into the path of Thomsen, who stuck out a leg and shot into the roof of the net from close proximity. Three minutes later Fridjonsson scored for Iceland from the spot after Danish captain Vestergaard had fouled Ingason, but Denmark hung on to advance.