FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers
Denmark 2-0 Scotland
Wednesday, 1 September 2021, kick-off 7.45pm (UK time)
Telia Parken, Copenhagen

Scorers
Denmark: Daniel Wass (14), Joakim Maehle (15)

Denmark ran out 2-0 winners in Copenhagen against Scotland, maintaining their 100% record in Group F.

Two first half goals from Wass and Maehle put Scotland on the back foot and although Steve Clarke's men came out stronger in the second-half it wasn't enough to prevent a 2-0 defeat ahead of Saturday's home match against Moldova.

Team News

A defensive re-shuffle meant Scotland captain Andy Robertson started the game at right wing back, with Kieran Tierney defending the left flank.

Ryan Fraser partnered Che Adams in attack for the first time with Lyndon Dykes named on the bench.

Steve Clarke also handed Billy Gilmour a start this evening, after missing Scotland’s final two EURO 2020 matches due to COVID.

Danish big hitters Martin Braithwaite and Kasper Dolberg both missed out through injury, although seven of Denmark’s starting 11 started the EURO 2020 semi-final just two months ago.

As it happened

Denmark made their early pressure count after just 13 minutes when Højbjerg’s ball was nodded across goal and into the net by Daniel Wass.

Some 90 seconds later, Scotland found themselves two goals down. An exquisite interchange with Damsgaard allowed Joakim Maehle into the six-yard box to coolly slot the ball past the on-rushing Craig Gordon.

More crosses from deep caused the Scotland defence trouble, with Gordon being alert to deny Poulsen from close range.

Scotland aimed to shake things up at half-time, with Lyndon Dykes replacing Scott McKenna. Ryan Fraser was re-positioned to right wing back and Andy Robertson moved to the left side of central defence.

Scotland’s first real opportunity of the match came shortly after half-time, with Billy Gilmour firing a long-range effort just wide of the post.

Gordon was called into action once more, with a strong left hand denying Delaney from the edge of the area. The Scotland 'keeper was then quick to gather before Poulsen could capitalise on the loose ball.

Scotland grew into the game but were crucially lacking an end product. Billy Gilmour skipped his way through the midfield before finding McLean whose cross was cut out by the Danish defence.



A through ball from Dykes down the left flank for McLean was then worked to Callum McGregor who found himself in a shooting position on the edge of the area, but his shot was gathered low by Schmeichel.

Scotland's biggest chance of the match fell to Ryan Fraser after some slick link-up play between Robertson and Christie. The cut back found Fraser inside the area, but his side-footed effort was smartly saved by Schmeichel.

There was a brief cameo for Lewis Ferguson, who made his Scotland debut by replacing Billy Gilmour in injury time.

Post-Match reaction

Andy Robertson said: "We have improved since maybe three or four years ago. Previously that could have been four or five nil but we weathered the storm.

"Unfortunately we found ourselves two goals down and second-half we went out to try and stamp our authority on the game and I felt we did that at times but Denmark were always in control and that's the disappointing thing.

"We knew they'd try and get off to fast start in front of a big crowd after a fantastic Euros. Our aim was to quieten everything down and settle into the game.

"We didn't manage that and when you find yourself 2-0 down against a really good team it's an uphill battle and we just didn't have enough unfortunately."

Next Up

Scotland are back at Hampden Park for the first time since EURO 2020 this Saturday for a crucial qualifer against Moldova before traveling to Vienna to face Austria on Tuesday night.

Teams

Denmark: Schmeichel (GK), Wass (Stryger Larsen 84’), Andersen, Kjaer (c), Maehle, Højbjerg, Christensen, Delaney (Norgaard 84’), Skov Olsen (Daramy 84’), Poulsen (Wind 67’), Damsgaard.

Unused substitutes: Ronnow, Kristensen, Lindstrom, Christiansen, Lössl, Nelsson, Bruun Larsen, Ingvartsen.

Scotland: Gordon (GK), Robertson (c), Gilmour (Ferguson 90’), Hanley, Tierney, McGregor, Adams (Christie 71’), McKenna (Dykes 45’), Cooper, Fraser, McLean (Turnbull 85’).

Unused substitutes: Kelly (GK), Clark (GK), Hendry, Gallagher.

By Luke Bain