Action from the international friendly between the USA (blue jersey) and host Denmark on March 25, 2015, in Aarhus. (Photo: John Dorton/isiphotos.com)
AARHUS, Denmark -- Nicklas Bendtner completed a hat-trick by scoring in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to rally Denmark past the United States 3-2 in an international friendly at rainy NRGi Park on Wednesday.
It was the Wolfsburg forward’s second goal in the final seven minutes as the Americans’ 2-1 lead slipped away before 10,505 spectators.
First, Bendtner equalized in the 83rd minute, smashing a shot on one bounce past goalkeeper Nick Rimando at the far left post. Then, 48 seconds into added time, he netted the game-winner with a wicked right-footed effort into the lower left far corner off a Christian Eriksen feed.
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute as striker Jozy Altidore made something out of nothing for his second goal of the year. Right-back Tim Chandler delivered a diagonal cross that bounced in the box. Altidore outmuscled defenders Daniel Wass and Simon Kjaer to score off a volley past goalkeeper Stephan Andersen from seven yards for his 27th career goal.
The Danes equalized in the 33rd minute as Bendtner latched onto a left-wing feed from Lasse Vibe for an easy tap-in.
In the 66th minute, Aron Johannsson scored in the stadium in which started his professional career with AGF Aarhus in 2010. Central midfielder Michael Bradley sent a ball over the top to Altidore, who went in alone on Andersen. Instead of shooting, he squared a pass for Johannsson to slam home from six-yards out in traffic for his third international goal.
Club America defender Ventura Alvarado made his international debut for the USA, replacing Michael Orozco in the 80th minute.
The Americans visit Switzerland on Tuesday, before hosting archrival Mexico in San Antonio, Texas, on April 15.
