The capital of Denmark was recently voted the happiest city in the world, and it was quite a surprise that most of its joy was diverted and localised onto a couple of thousand jubilant Scots by the end of an absorbing first World Cup qualifier.
What a fine result it was for Steve Clarke’s team to steal away with a point from what, on paper at least, ought to be the toughest of their six fixtures in group C. Away to the pot one seeds and the highest ranked opposition, Scotland stepped up with a performance of discipline, concentration, running and intelligence. It was not the sort of display those raucous visiting fans would be able to endure from their team every time — too stressful, too backs to the wall, especially in the closing stages — but it was hard-fought and relentlessly committed. It got the point they deserved and it gave them an immediate foothold in a group already led by Greece, who shredded Belarus 5-1 and may prove to be the strongest side to overcome.
A win would have over-rewarded Scotland but they certainly created chances to snatch one. John McGinn and Ryan Christie had first-half opportunities. Lyndon Dykes took too long to get a shot away and Rasmus Kristensen recovered and blocked in their moment of the night. One substitute, George Hirst, seemed not to see another, Ben Gannon-Doak, who was wide open for a simple pass. It didn’t come but at times they did stretch and worry the Danes. Above all the defending was diligent and brave throughout.
McTominay was one of three Serie A-based players to start the game for Scotland
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Clarke picked a starting team that barely anyone wanted. There was no Gannon-Doak, no Billy Gilmour, and places for long-time whipping boys Grant Hanley at the back and Dykes up front in a partnership with Ché Adams. Dykes had not scored an international goal since a win in Oslo two summers ago and was without one in his last 12 appearances while showing modest form for Birmingham City. Plenty will be said about Clarke and the unchanging nature of his selections — six of the starters also did so against England at Wembley four years ago — but let no-one accuse him of attempting to win popularity contests. Scott McTominay was in a deeper midfield role than where he shines for Napoli. Tinkering with a Ballon d’Or candidate takes some nerve.
It worked. The shape was narrow, protecting the box and pressing with intelligence and aggression to stop Danish moves, try to turn them and break. Denmark were all over Scotland at the start of the first half and they were more creative and pleasing with the ball throughout. They would thread passes to try to release forwards Kasper Dolberg and Mika Biereth. When Mikkel Damsgaard floated in a free kick and Morten Hjulmand stole in behind Scotland’s back four to connect it looked like the resistance had broken. The finish was side-footed straight at Angus Gunn, though, and the offside flag was up too.
Scotland took a while to settle and get a foothold. The play was too quick for them at first and they struggled to find any rhythm or keep the ball as they tried to break. Gunn would shell it long for Dykes and Adams to win aerial duels and they did their fair share of that. Christie, McGinn and McTominay would then try to get up and pick up second balls.
Clarke hopes to guide his side to a first World Cup since 1998
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They did grow into the game. Dykes put a looping header over from an Andy Robertson cross. Lewis Ferguson’s corner was knocked into the side-netting by McGinn from a half-chance at the back post. Ferguson had his best game for Scotland. He pressed well and fed Christie, who finished poorly. Bournemouth’s midfielder put a header across goal and wide, too. The effort was beyond criticism but the decision-making and finishing let them down.
Defensively Scotland were plugging gaps, making crucial interceptions and excellent tackles and blocks. The back four were solid. The Danes were not the force of old and were wasteful in possession themselves but it still required constant focus from Scotland to live with their attacks. Bierith was inches away from getting to one pass ahead of Gunn. McTominay, of all people, was careless and allowed a Danish break.
Later McTominay weaved into the box, shades of Archie Gemmill against the Dutch, but Kasper Schmeichel saved with his legs. Denmark moved the ball superbly across Scotland’s box and captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looked ready to score but his shot took a slight deflection for a corner. The Parken rose to Anders Dreyer’s shot but it flew narrowly wide. By then the Scotland fans had already risen — and then held their heads in their hands — as Dykes’s big chance came and went. Adams would surely have scored if he had anticipated Robertson’s great ball across the face of goal. Scotland had a surge of pressure in the second half.
Christie, centre, headed a decent opportunity wide in the first half
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Clarke did not make a change until Max Johnston replaced the tiring Hickey on 70 minutes. Johnston immediately survived a scare when he was booked for last-man handball and VAR called German referee Daniel Siebert to consider a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Crucially Biereth had given Johnston a slight nudge and Scotland kept 11. The Danes laid siege at the end but Scotland’s defending held.
A different test rushes at Scotland now. From the pulsating Parken to an empty stadium in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, and a closed doors game against Belarus on Monday night. They have to build on this one.
Denmark (4-4-2): K Schmeichel — R Kristensen, J Andersen, A Christensen, J Maehle — A Dreyer (V Froholdt 74), M Hjulmand, PE Hojbjerg, M Damsgaard — K Dolberg (A Gronbaek 61), M Biereth (R Hojlund 74). Booked Hojbjerg, Andersen, Froholdt.
Scotland (4-4-2): A Gunn — A Hickey (M Johnston 70), J Souttar, G Hanley, A Robertson — J McGinn, S McTominay, L Ferguson, R Christie (K McLean 83) — C Adams (G Hirst 83), L Dykes (B Gannon-Doak 83). Booked Hickey, Christie, Ferguson, Johnston, Adams.
Referee D Siebert (Germany). Attendance 35,369.