Arizona Tribune - Kazakhstan comeback hands Denmark shock Euro qualifying defeat

NYSE - LSE
CMSC 0.29% 22.085 $
AZN -4.01% 171.61 $
NGG 0.33% 82.59 $
RYCEF 1.95% 19.46 $
RBGPF 0.52% 67.35 $
RELX 1.14% 32.44 $
VOD 11.14% 14.72 $
RIO 1.16% 90.54 $
BCE 0.28% 21.38 $
GSK 0.59% 52.78 $
CMSD 0.31% 22.38 $
BCC 5.02% 76.06 $
JRI -0.15% 13.01 $
BP 1.66% 39.2 $
BTI -0.03% 60.02 $
Kazakhstan comeback hands Denmark shock Euro qualifying defeat
Kazakhstan comeback hands Denmark shock Euro qualifying defeat / Photo: Bo Amstrup - Ritzau Scanpix/AFP

Kazakhstan comeback hands Denmark shock Euro qualifying defeat

Denmark blew a two-goal lead to crash to a surprise 3-2 defeat in Kazakhstan in qualifying for Euro 2024 on Sunday.

Text size:

The Euro 2020 semi-finalists appeared to be cruising to victory in the Group H match as Atalanta youngster Rasmus Hojlund netted twice in the first half after scoring a hat-trick against Finland on Thursday.

Kazakhstan had started their bid to qualify for a first ever major tournament with a home defeat by Slovenia.

But Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov's 73rd-minute penalty gave the hosts hope of a famous turnaround in Astana.

Midfielder Askhat Tagybergen crashed a long-range drive past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel with four minutes of normal time remaining to equalise.

Substitute Abat Aymbetov provided the golden moment for Kazakhstan -- who have already at least secured a Euro 2024 play-off spot through the Nations League -- leaping to power a header into the top corner in the 89th minute.

He was later sent off for a second yellow card but by then had already grabbed all three points.

Later on Sunday, England welcome Ukraine to Wembley, while Italy take on Malta and Portugal play Luxembourg.

P.Hernandez--AT