By Jack Hunter

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers
Scotland 2-0 Denmark
Monday, 15 November 2021, kick-off 7:45pm 
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scorers:

Scotland: John Souttar (35’) & Che Adams (86’)

It was an unforgettable night at Hampden, as Scotland sealed victory with a sensational performance over Denmark. The previously unbeaten Danes had barely put a foot wrong in the World Cup qualifiers and were rightfully favourites going into the game. But Scotland were the better team from start to finish.

The Tartan Army can now look ahead to the play-offs as a seeded team with a home fixture incoming. A truly fantastic performance.

TEAM NEWS

Steve Clarke made several changes for the game against Denmark after a landmark victory in Moldova. Ryan Christie started in place of Lyndon Dykes who still isn’t fully fit. Clarke also found himself without Scott McTominay out of the team, making way for Stephen O’Donnell and John Souttar to return to the squad.

AS IT HAPPENED

The opening ten minutes of the match foreshadowed a physical affair between the two teams. There were crunching tackles from both sides but somehow referee Alejandro Hernandez avoided giving out any cards.

Joakim Maehle had an excellent start to the game, looking dangerous every time he was on the ball.

Ryan Christie provided Che Adams with a great chance inside the box to put Scotland in the lead but a heroic save from Casper Schmeichel kept Denmark level.

The ball fell to McGinn in the box shortly after who took a shot at goal but was denied by the Denmark defence. It was a dream start for the Tartan Army however, as Scotland appeared to be taking control of the game. 

O’Donnell launched the ball up to McGinn who was met alongside Adams with only one defender separating them from the keeper.

The deadlock was broken by a corner. Tierney crossed the ball in where Liam Cooper managed a headed pass inside, where John Souttar found a header of his own, and sent the ball into the back of the net.

As the half time whistle came, Scotland where well on their way to claiming another three points and being seeded for that all important play-off.

Scotland started the second half less aggressively, allowing Denmark to press the action but the home team recognised the danger and quickly returned to their original plan of action. An hour through and Scotland were deservedly in the lead.

Denmark seemed to finally settle into the match in the final twenty minutes, and there was a feeling in the stadium that Steve Clarke was looking to hold on as Armstrong replaced Christie and McKenna replaced Robertson.

It was looking to be a case of hold on for Scotland until Armstrong unleashed Adams, who took it on to his right side and slotted it into the bottom corner.

As the game reached its conclusion, it was a monumental victory for Scotland, who will now be seeded for the play-offs.

NEXT UP                                                                 

Scotland’s next assignment will be decided at the World Cup 2022 play-off draw on Friday, 26 November. You can watch the draw live on FIFA.com

TEAMS

Scotland: Gordon, O’Donnell, Robertson (c) (McKenna,79 ), Souttar, Tierney (Ralston, 87), McGinn, McGregor, Adams, Christie(Armstrong, 80) Gilmour(McLean,73), Cooper

Unused Substitutes: Clark (GK), McLaughlin (GK), Ralston, Porteous, Turnbull, Nisbet, Ferguson, Brown

Denmark: Schmeichel, Kristensen (Bah, 81), Kjaer (c), Vestergaard, Maehle, Wass (Dreyer,81) Christensen, Jønsson (stage, 56), Skov Olsen, Cornelius (Uhre,71), Bruun Larsen (Sisto, 56)

Unused substitutes: Rønnow (GK) Maxsø,  Vindahl, Riis Jakobsen