The game between Germany and Denmark for the Euro 2024 was interrupted midway through the first half due to a massive storm that hit Dortmund.
The English referee, Michael Oliver, ordered both teams off the field after 34 minutes, with lightning flashing over the Westfalenstadion and thunder booming across the city.
When play was halted in the round of 16, there was no goal. Both teams’ drenched players observed from the bench for a short while before running for refuge inside the locker rooms.
The stadium, which is home to Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, was left leaking when heavy rain fell.
Huge waterfalls crashed through the top onto spectators, and hailstones also rained down. The majority of spectators took cover during the rainfall, but a few courageous ones were seen singing outside.
Before the all-clear was granted for play to restart, it was suspended for around twenty minutes.
After a little warm-up, players from both teams returned, and the game resumed shortly before 9 p.m. BST.
Play was stopped for approximately 23 minutes
Before the storm briefly wreaked havoc, Germany were denied an early opener when Nico Schlotterbeck’s header was ruled out by referee Oliver.
In the opening frame, Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel produced several crucial saves to put the competition’s hosts at bay.
He made good save to deny Niclas Fullkrug and Kai Havertz. Rasmus Hojlund, a standout for Manchester United, wasted a great chance to test Manuel Neuer in the German goal by sending an attempt into the side netting after taking advantage of some careless defense.
Late in the half, Denmark came dangerously close to going on the counterattack, but Hojlund was again stopped by the charging Neuer.