Denmark's hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup were extinguished in a dramatic and, for them, devastating 4-2 loss to Scotland at a euphoric Hampden Park. The result sees Scotland top their qualifying group and book their ticket to next summer's tournament, leaving the distraught Danes facing the uncertainty of the play-offs.
A Night of High Drama in Glasgow
The final, decisive group match was a rollercoaster from the very start. Scott McTominay electrified the home crowd after just three minutes, scoring with a stunning bicycle kick to put Scotland ahead. The game settled into a tense battle until just before the hour mark, when Rasmus Hojlund equalised for Denmark from the penalty spot.
The real drama, however, was reserved for the final stages. On the 78-minute mark, Lawrence Shankland thought he had won it for Scotland, only for Patrick Dorgu to silence Hampden with another Danish equaliser. The match seemed destined for a draw, but injury time delivered a stunning twist.
Injury Time Heartbreak for Denmark
First, Kieran Tierney curled in a brilliant goal to send the Scottish fans into delirium. Then, in the dying moments, Kenny McLean spotted Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel off his line and audaciously scored from the centre circle, sealing a historic 4-2 victory and confirming Scotland's place at the World Cup.
For Denmark, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, compounded by a disappointing draw with Belarus just days earlier. Fulham defender Joachim Andersen was emotional and forthright in his post-match reaction.
Danish Fury and Disbelief
'I'm incredibly sad. The results we've delivered in the last two games are laughable,' Andersen told TV2. 'I'm just disappointed. I think we played a good game. They score a freak goal. He'll never score a goal like that again in his career.'
Andersen was referring to McTominay's spectacular opener, which he deemed an unrepeatable fluke. He also lamented his team's costly errors, branding the overall outcome as 'f***ing ridiculous'.
The criticism continued from former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, who was scathing of the Danish team's performance. 'It looks like a team I don't recognise in these two games,' he said, pointing to a lack of quality, coherence, and leadership. 'We have to look ourselves in the mirror and say that it's simply not good enough.'
Denmark manager Brian Riemer shouldered the blame, labelling Scotland 'a team worse than ourselves' and admitting his deep disappointment. 'I take responsibility 100 percent on my shoulders,' he stated, acknowledging that his team made too many costly mistakes against a side they were expected to beat.
Denmark must now regroup for the World Cup qualifying play-offs in March, where they will be one of the seeded teams alongside nations like Italy, Wales, and Ukraine.
