Denmark 1-2 Belgium: Player ratings as Kevin De Bruyne stars in comeback win

Belgium came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win against Denmark on Thursday evening to maintain their 100% start to Euro 2020.

The Danes raced out of the traps and were ahead within just two minutes. Red Devils defender Jason Denayer was guilty of conceding possession just yards outside his own box and after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg played the ball through to Yussuf Poulsen the forward smashed it home.

Denmark looked good value for their lead as they headed for the interval, though the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne at half time sparked a change in proceedings. The Manchester City man was instrumental in Belgium's equaliser as he cut the ball back to allow Thorgan Hazard to fire home.

The contest was turned on its head with 20 minutes to play as Eden Hazard - another of the Red Devils' half decent substitutes - teed up De Bruyne who hammered the ball with his left foot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Denmark pushed for an equaliser but the closest they came was Martin Braithwaite's header that clipped the top of the crossbar as Roberto Martinez's men took all three points.

That's the match highlights out of the way, now to those Denmark and Belgium player ratings...

DENMARK PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - 5/10 - Given next to nothing to do in the first half other than punching away the occasional corner. Little he could do about Hazard's goal as Belgium played their way through the backline, though he'll be disappointed to be beaten at his near post for the second.

Andreas Christensen (RB) - 5/10 - Filled in at right-back as part of the reshuffle and did alright considering the quality of the opposition. Eventually got found out as Belgium introduced their superstars.

Simon Kjaer (CB) - 7/10 - Given the unenviable task of handling Romelu Lukaku but did it brilliantly for much of the game. The Inter man finally showed his class but Kjaer put up a good fight.

Jannik Vestergaard (CB) - 5/10 - The Southampton man was drafted into the starting XI for his first start of Euro 2020 and it took him a bit of time to get up to the pace of the game before being withdrawn late on.

Joakim Mæhle (LB) - 7/10 - Did a good job of shackling Dries Mertens and forced the Napoli man away from goal whenever he had the ball at his feet.

2. Midfielders

Daniel Wass (CM) - 5/10 - Tasked with taking the majority of his side's set pieces and made a bit of a meal of it. Taken off in the second half after failing to really impact the game.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) - 7/10 - Beautifully weighted through-ball to grab an assist in the opening minutes. Dropped into the backline whenever Belgium had the ball and helped out with some key headers.

Thomas Delaney (CM) - 6/10 - Sprayed the ball about very effectively and was regularly encouraged to shoot from range by the enthusiastic home crowd.

3. Forwards

Yussuf Poulsen (RW) - 6/10 - Clinical finish to open the scoring with barely two minutes on the clock. Didn't look as lively as some of the other Danish forwards after the goal and was taken off in the second half.

Mikkel Damsgaard (ST) - 7/10 - Produced a brilliant bit of play as he danced away from the Belgium backline with a few stepovers before putting the ball half a yard wide of the far post.

Martin Braithwaite (LW) - 6/10 - Was busy on the Belgium left and helped give Jan Vertonghen a nightmare evening by refusing to allow him time to settle on the ball.

4. Substitutes

Christian Norgaard (CM) - 6/10

Jens Stryger Larsen (RB) - 5/10

Andreas Cornelius (ST) - 6/10

Mathias Jensen (CM) - 6/10

Andreas Skov Olsen (CM) - N/A

BELGIUM PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - 6/10 - Very little he could do about the Denmark opener. Looked like he might have to come off in the second half after bravely leaving his line to deal with a cross but battled on.

Toby Alderweireld (CB) - 5/10 - Looked way too slow and was caught out by Yussuf Poulsen way too often. Needs to liven up if Belgium are to make it into the latter rounds.

Jason Denayer (CB) - 5/10 - Shocking piece of play to hand Denmark a glorious chance to open the scoring which they never looked like missing. Did well to compose himself after the early mistake but very lucky to be bailed out by his teammates.

Jan Vertonghen (CB) - 4/10 - If Alderweireld looked slow then we don't even know what to say about his former Tottenham colleague. Beaten to the ball time and time again and just looked a liability all game.

6. Midfielders & wing-backs

Thomas Meunier (RWB) - 6/10 - Had the beating of Joakim Mæhle down the Denmark left but the quality of his final ball was poor.

Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 5/10 - Looked too cumbersome and passive in the centre of the pitch and was withdrawn as Belgium went in search of a winning goal.

Youri Tielemans (CM) - 6/10 - Always looking to play on the half-turn and open up the game but his touch was off and he just found himself being closed down straight away.

Thorgan Hazard (LWB) - 6/10 - Clearly highlighted as a weakness in the Belgium side and Denmark took advantage of his lack of defensive nous on numerous occasions. Made up for it going forward and grabbed his side's equaliser early in the second half.

7. Forwards

Dries Mertens (RW) - 5/10 - Tried to help the team defensively but was rash and conceded a number of fouls in his own half. Replaced at half time and might be lucky to start the next game.

Romelu Lukaku (ST) - 7/10 - Spent the majority of the first half trying to chase lost causes as his teammates just aimlessly fired balls up to him and expected him to deal with them. Looked much better in the second half and was key to Belgium's second.

Yannick Carrasco (LW) - 5/10 - With Belgium looking so toothless throughout the first 45 minutes they were relying on set pieces - his were terrible.

8. Substitutes

Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - 9/10 - Made an impact within ten minutes of being on the pitch as he grabbed an assist for Belgium's equaliser before putting his side ahead.

Axel Witsel (CM) - 6/10

Eden Hazard (LW) - 7/10

Thomas Vermaelen (CB) - N/A