|
 It turned out to be a double celebration for captain Christian
Eriksen as he became the youngest Dane to win a half-century of
caps.
The hosts enjoyed most of the possession but it was Jozy Altidore
who put the U.S. ahead after 19 minutes, latching on to a cross and
thumping it home with his left foot.
VFL Wolfsburg forward Bendtner leveled the score after 33 minutes by
slotting the ball into an empty net from five meters out.
Altidore turned provider in the second half, flicking the ball into
the path of Aron Johannsson, who poked home to take the lead again
before Bendtner netted twice in the final seven minutes to steal the
win for his side.
The visitors frustrated the Danes for most of the second half with
some dogged defending before Bendtner popped up unmarked at the far
post to sweep home the equalizer. He then smashed home the winner in
the final minute to complete the comeback.
It was Bendtner's first hat-trick for the national team, and drew
praise from United States coach Juergen Klinsmann.
"When you score three goals in a game you deserve all the
compliments in the world, and Bendtner deserves them," Klinsmann
told a news conference, adding that a draw would have been a fair
result.
Having joined VfL Wolfsburg in Klinsmann's home country of Germany
last year, Bendtner has struggled to adapt, but the U.S. coach told
reporters that he believed the 27-year-old Dane had a bright future.
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"Sometimes it goes well and you score and gain confidence, and three
goals is the right medicine for Bendtner. I wish him the best in the
future," said Klinsmann.
Denmark take on Euro 2016 hosts France in Paris on Sunday, while
Klinsmann's side continue their CONCACAF Gold Cup preparations by
taking on Switzerland in Zurich on March 31.
(Reporting By Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Toby
Davis)
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