Rasmus Hojlund opens up about guilt after Denmark’s Euro 2024 loss to Germany

Denmark lost 2-0 to Germany in the last 16 of the European Championship on a stormy night in Dortmund, in a match filled with controversy, including disallowed goals and a contentious penalty.

Chirag

June 30, 2024

Hojlund's Emotional Message — ANP via Getty Images

Denmark suffered a 2-0 defeat to Germany in the last 16 of the European Championship on a stormy night in Dortmund. The match was filled with controversy, featuring disallowed goals for both teams and a contentious penalty awarded to Germany after a handball by Denmark defender Joachim Andersen.

This result advances the tournament hosts to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, where they will face either Spain or Georgia, while Denmark’s journey ends here. Rasmus Hojlund, who entered the tournament after a successful first season at Manchester United with 16 goals and an FA Cup victory, failed to score in any of Denmark’s four matches. Following the defeat, he admitted feeling guilty.

In an Instagram post, Hojlund wrote: “To be honest I didn’t really know what to expect from my first Euros. Supporting Denmark during a tournament was always one of the highlights as a Dane, playing for Denmark was indescribable. I was so eager, and wanted so badly to make our country proud. I texted one of my friends that I felt a bit guilty. It’s a weird sentimental mix, because there’s also pride. Obviously we wanted to bring the cup home, but the thing that will always bring me pride, both as a footballer and a Dane: We are red we are white. We stand together, side by side.”

Hojlund can now take a break from football before rejoining Manchester United, who will embark on a pre-season tour of the United States in July. Their first Premier League match of the 2024-25 season is against Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16.