Denmark 2-0 Scotland
Denmark’s journey on the road to World Cup 2022 continued to gather pace tonight following a 2-0 win over Scotland at the Telia Parken in Copenhagen.
Two Danish goals in two minutes, before the Scots had settled, took the game away from the visitors. Daniel Wass headed the first on 14 minutes and Joakim Maehle scored a second a minute later and that was enough to win the game, with plenty to spare.
So Denmark’s lead at the top of qualifying Group F has increased to five points, while Scotland have dropped to fourth place and have a real battle on to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Highlights of the game
In front of a passionate crowd the Danes piled on the pressure from the first whistle and 21-year-old striker Mikkel Damsgaard came close twice in the opening exchanges, but the home fans didn’t have to wait long for the opener.
And it was too easy for the hosts as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg swung over a cross to the far post where Wass was waiting and ready to plant his header over the keeper and into the net.
Only 90 seconds later a poor start for Scotland turned into a shocker as the Copenhagen crowd was celebrating again. This time it was an intricate move which ended with Damsgaard threading a beautiful ball through to Maehle who lifted his shot home.
Scotland’s wing-backs are their two best players. Andrew Robertson’s return to fitness was a huge boost to Scotland. But Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney has been having a torrid time in the Premier League, along with the rest of the Arsenal squad as the Gunners have lost their opening three games and took a 5-0 hammering from Manchester City last weekend.
But both of Scotland’s biggest stars struggled to spark anything in their team, who were on the ropes through most of the first half. Yussuf Poulsen almost made it three but the Scots kept the score at two as the half time whistle blew.
The pre-match World Cup 2022 odds offered 1.40 on the Danes to win and by the break they had disappeared without trace.
The home side took their foot off the gas in the second half but Scotland had little answer as Kasper Hjulmand’s men stayed in shape to repel any threat. Robertson continued to toil down the left flank but to little effect, and Scotland keeper Craig Gordon did well to keep out an effort from Thomas Delaney.
At the other end, Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel had a very quiet night but he had to be on his wits to stop a shot from Ryan Fraser. Then there was a flurry of attacks from Denmark at the death as Gordon desperately kept out an effort from Hojbjerg.
Key statistics
Kasper Hjulmand’s Denmark came into the game with a 100 per cent record. The Danes have won all four of their qualifiers so far, scoring 16 unanswered goals, and this game was finished in a devastating first half.
By the end of the match Denmark had 61 per cent possession, 11 shots to five and five to two on target, but the game was gone by the time the first quarter of an hour was gone.
Scotland still have a lead in the head to head meetings, with five wins to four in the last nine meetings, but that will be little consolation to Steve Clarke’s men.
What’s next?
Before we get back to the big domestic leagues there’s plenty more action for SBOTOP World Cup fans to enjoy. Tomorrow night the European Champions Italy are at home to Bulgaria, and then there’s a great match in Stockholm where Sweden host Spain.
As the qualifiers get back into full swing Denmark’s World Cup 2022 results have given them a great chance to win their group and they are surely on their way to Qatar next winter. Next up the Danes are away to the minnows Faroe Islands and then at home to Israel, who they beat 2-0 in the opening game. Expect six more points.
In tonight’s other Group F games, Austria won 1-0 in Moldova, while Israel took the Faroe Islands apart with a 4-0 victory. Austria and Israel are both back in the hunt.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke needs to rebuild his team’s confidence before he takes his team back home to face Moldova, who have only picked one point up so far, against the Faroe Islands. And then Scotland have a difficult trip away to Austria. The previous meeting ended in a 2-2 draw at Hampden Park and the Scots need to match that at least to keep pace in the group.
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