Denmark 2-0 Scotland: Quick-fire double sinks Scots in Copenhagen

Scotland were outclassed by Denmark in their World Cup qualifier in Copenhagen, as the home side comfortably won 2-0 in the Group F encounter.

Daniel Wass and Joakim Maehle scored in a 90-second burst in the first half to ensure three points for the group leaders, but leaving Scotland with just one win from their last nine competitive games.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke had selection problems ahead of the match with some key players missing and no established right-back in the travelling party after Stephen O’Donnell was forced to remain at home.

Andy Robertson shifted to the right flank with Kieran Tierney as left wing-back and Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley and Liam Cooper as centre-backs.

The new-look defence was under pressure from the off and Scotland struggled to keep Denmark at bay in the opening exchanges before a quick-fire double saw the hosts establish their dominance.

Denmark opened the scoring after just 14 minutes. A diagonal ball caught Kieran Tierney out of position and Daniel Wass was able to rise and direct a header past Craig Gordon with relative ease.

Scotland were rocked and found themselves punished again just 90 seconds later. Joakim Maehle, who had set up Wass for his goal, played a one-two with Mikkel Damsgaard to work his way into the box, collect a dinked pass and knock the ball past Gordon with the outside of his right boot.

With a comfortable cushion, the hosts were content to hold possession and probe for openings, with Scotland struggling to get a hold in the game.

Clarke made a change at half-time, withdrawing McKenna for forward Lydon Dykes and restoring Robertson and Tierney to their usual positions, with Ryan Fraser shifting to the right flank.

The switch gave Scotland more solidity, and Dykes’ strength allowed an out ball but though the performance was an improvement on the opening period, the visitors couldn’t find a serious goal threat.

Denmark saw the game out with minimal fuss, leaving Scotland to look to the upcoming fixtures against Moldova and Austria as they look to improve their chances of reaching Qatar 2022.