Huge thunderstorm sees Euro 2024 clash between Germany and Denmark temporarily suspended

The heavens opened above the stadium (Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The Euro 2024 clash between Germany and Denmark was temporarily halted midway through the first-half as a huge storm hit Dortmund.

English referee Michael Oliver ordered both teams off the pitch after 34 minutes with lightning flashing over the Westfalenstadion as thunder boomed across the city on Saturday night.

Play was paused for 23 minutes before players were allowed to return to the pitch with Germany going onto clinch a 2-0 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

The last 16 tie was goalless when play was suspended. Drenched players from both sides briefly watched on from the dugout before heading for cover inside the dressing rooms.

With torrential rain falling, the stadium, home to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, was left leaking with huge waterfalls crashing through the roof onto supporters in attendance with hail stones also lashing down.

During the downpour, most fans sought shelter but a brave few were spotted singing in the rain.

Players waited for the storm to pass before the green light was given for the knockout tie to resume.

Both sides re-emerged for a brief warm-up with the match recommencing just before 9pm BST.

Fans danced in the rain during the stoppage (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Play was stopped for approximately 23 minutes (Picture: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Fans ran for cover (Picture: by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Before the storm briefly wreaked havoc, Germany were denied an early opener with Nico Schlotterbeck’s header ruled out by referee Oliver.

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made a number of key saves to keep the competition hosts at bay in the first period, denying Kai Havertz with a header.

At the other end, Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund passed up a huge opportunity to test Manuel Neuer in the German goal, blasting a poor effort into the side netting after capitalising on some slack defending.

Denmark almost pounced on the counter late on in the half with Hojlund this time denied by the onrushing Neuer.

Early in the second-half, the Danes thought they had taken the lead through Joachim Andersen who saw his effort ruled out for the most marginal of offside calls.

There was more controversy when Germany were awarded a penalty moments later with Crystal Palace defender Andersen judged to have handled David Raum’s cross.

Havertz stepped up to convert the spot kick after 53 minutes with Jamal Musiala scoring his third game of the tournament to seal the win.