DENMARK were eventually blown away on a stormy Saturday night in Dortmund as Germany ran out controversial 2-0 winners.

English referee Michael Oliver suspended the action after 35 minutes due to thunder and lightning at the Westfalenstadion, with the delay lasting 24 minutes.

Second-half goals from Kai Havertz — a penalty after Denmark had an effort ruled out by VAR for offside moments earlier — and Jamal Musiala saw Germany through to a last-eight date with Spain or Georgia.

Denmark felt hard done by after Joachim Andersen’s goal was disallowed by the barest of margins, with the semi-automated offisde technology ruling Thomas Delaney offside by a matter of inches.

Moments later the Crystal Palace defender had more reason to complain after David Raum’s cross touched his outstretched arm and a penalty was awarded, which Havertz converted to give Germany the lead.

Meanwhile, Italy exited the tournament after losing 2-0 to Switzerland, looking a pale impression of the side that lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy at Wembley three years ago.

It took until deep into the second half for Luciano Spalletti’s lacklustre side to muster a credible effort at goal, Gianluca Scamacca hitting the post from barely three yards out, by which time Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas had scored the goals that would dispatch the Euro 2020 champions.

The victory over England on penalties that clinched the last edition of the European Championship felt like another lifetime as Italy’s tournament ended with just a single shot on target against Switzerland, who reached the quarter-finals for just the second time.

Spalletti was eager to take the blame for the loss, saying: “The responsibility is always mine. There’s no blame to everyone. I want to stress this. I want to thank the players for having brought me here.”