Denmark snatched second position in Group B with an exhilarating victory against Russia, Andreas Christensen and Joakim Mæhle scoring the crucial goals in a 4-1 Parken Stadium triumph.

The Danes embraced each other at full-time, just nine days after team-mate Christian Eriksen collapsed on the same pitch in their tournament opener against Finland. After suffering cardiac arrest Eriksen has since been discharged from hospital but the toll of an emotional last week was clear to see in Denmark's players upon the final whistle. And throughout the match there were outbursts of roaring, delirious celebrations and passion from supporters in Copenhagen.

Russia made a positive start and were nearly rewarded as Aleksandr Golovin dribbled through the centre of the Denmark defence from halfway, Kasper Schmeichel having to get down smartly to keep out his low drive. The Danes were not without a threat of their own, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg sending a shot whistling just past the post, before the same midfielder picked out Mikkel Damsgaard on the edge of the area in the 38th minute. One touch to his right and the Sampdoria man unleashed a fine curling effort that Matvei Safonov could only watch fly into his net.

Denmark needed more than one goal, and continued to push forward into the second half. They received a helping hand from Roman Zobnin, whose loose pass was tapped in by Yussuf Poulsen for the second goal. However, Danish hopes were back in the balance as Aleksandr Sobolev went down under Jannik Vestergaard's challenge and Artem Dzyuba smashed in the penalty.

Undeterred, Denmark began to throw everything forward with increasing desperation that was rewarded when Russia could only clear as far as Christensen, whose first-time effort from 30 metres fairly flew into the net. With the Danish fans still celebrating, Mæhle danced into the penalty box and fired in a fourth goal and, after a nervous wait before Belgium's 2-0 win against Finland was confirmed, the Danes' party could start in earnest.

Denmark’s Andreas Christensen was named the Star of the Match.