Disappointment turned into excitement for Denmark as they claimed a surprise 4-1 victory over Russia in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on a wonderful night in Copenhagen on Monday.
A raucous crowd rallied behind the home team at Parken Stadium in an emotional tournament following Christian Eriksson's cardiac arrest in a match against Finland last week.
Ericsson was discharged from a local hospital on Friday and visited his teammates for training that day in preparation for Monday's decider.
Needing a win for any chance to progress, Mikel Damsgaard lit up the touchpaper with a surprise 38th-minute goal in a head-spinning night.
A terrible mistake from Russia's Roman Zobin allowed Yusuf Poulsen to double the lead on the hour.
Russia threatened a comeback when Artem Dzuba converted a penalty in the 70th minute, but a screamer from Andreas Christensen made it 3–1 before completing Joakim Maehle's route.
This was only half the story, although Denmark's fate was never in their hands and they were still indebted to Belgium who beat Finland 2–0 in St Petersburg.
Denmark finished runners-up after losing their opening two games to Ericsson due to a cardiac arrest and will now face Wales.
Belgium topped Group B with a maximum of nine points on three points with Denmark, Finland and Russia, but the Danes were ahead on goal difference.
"It's so crazy that we've gone through this. This team, these players. It's great to be a part of," said 20-year-old Damsgaard, who stepped into Ericsson's shoes.
"I never dreamed of being a part of something so big, so it's a great feeling."
"If anyone deserves it, it's our players," said Danish coach Kasper Hjulmund. I can't imagine how they came back from what they went through. Such a big credit to the boys.'
“It is hard to describe what this team has been up to the past few weeks, but we are thinking of Christian in every way. The team spirit and how everyone has contributed is amazing.
"We played three games at a very high level and our players deserve it."
Aside from a Pierre-Emile Hjberg shot that started wide, Denmark struggled to advance too much against a disciplined Russia side, for whom Alexander Golovin could open the scoring after a weaving run.
With no margin for error, there was tension about Denmark's game and Russia briefly rebuffed the noise generated by a 23,000-strong crowd resembling a solid red wall.
"This is the first time I have seen this kind of support," said Russia's keeper Matvei Safonov. "One of their players completes just one pass and the whole stadium is at their feet."
But that all changed in the 38th minute with a moment of magic from Damsgaard replacing Ericsson.
Receiving a pass from Hojberg, he took a silky touch with his left foot and opened his body to swing a majestic shot ahead of Russia keeper Matvei Safonov.
If Denmark's opener was spectacular, his second at the hour mark was ridiculous. Zobin inexplicably played a pass back without looking at his keeper, and Poulsen completed the simplest tasks to score.
Denmark was massive, but everything fell flat in the span of seconds as Russia were awarded a penalty when Jannik Vestergaard fouled Alexander Sobolev - and giant striker Dzuba took the front of Kasper Schmeichel to revive Russian hopes. Hit the ball.
As news broke that Belgium had taken the lead against Finland, the mood turned to glee as Christensen and Mahle wrapped up a sensational evening.
"The second goal basically came out of nowhere and it didn't give us any reason for optimism," said Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov. "Then we allowed two counterattacks and we paid for two goalscorers."
After the final whistle, the entire Danish team formed a circle in the center of the field, performing a lap of honor in front of their serenading supporters to follow the final minutes of the Belgian game.