Mikel on target as Nigeria beat Denmark; set up semi final clash with Germany

Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi was on target as Nigeria beat Denmark 2-0 to set up an Olympic semi-final against Germany on Wednesday.

John Obi Mikel

The Super Eagles have been in impressive form in Rio despite initial chaos in trying to reach the tournament due to plane trouble, and were firmly in control against the Danes in Salvador.

Nigeria took the initiative at the Arena Fonte Nova as Imoh Ezekiel produced a fine run down the left side before teeing up Chelsea’s Mikel to finish before half-time.

Ezekiel continued his impressive performance after the break, but it was Mikel who turned provider for Nigeria’s second as he set up Aminu Umar to head home from a fine corner delivery.

That win sets up a Sao Paulo semi-final against Germany, who saw Serge Gnabry score his sixth goal of the Games in a 4-0 win against Portugal.

The 21-year-old Arsenal midfielder spent the majority of last season on loan at West Brom and has struggled to established himself under Arsene Wenger but has emerged as a shining light for Die Nationalmannschaft this summer.

Gnabry opened the scoring for Horst Hrubesch’s side, with Matthias Ginter, Davie Selke and Philipp Max also on target as the Germans thrashed Portugal with four second-half strikes to book their place in the last four.