Scotland 2-0 Denmark: Scots stun Danes and will be play-off seeds

Scotland stunned Denmark 2-0 to finish their World Cup qualifying group on a high and ensure seeding for next year’s play-off semi-final.

Goals from John Souttar and Che Adams sealed a sixth consecutive win for Steve Clarke’s side and beat a side ranked as the tenth best in the world.

Denmark had arrived in Glasgow as group winners, with a 100% record and started confidently as they looked to maintain that record.

Daniel Wass chested the ball in front of goal at the end of one attack but Craig Gordon watched it bounce wide, and minutes later Andreas Christensen shot harmlessly over from distance.

Scotland worked their way into the match and forced a series of corners without reward. A swift counter saw Billy Gilmour surge through the middle before feeding Che Admas and the forward’s shot was blocked by Schmeichel.

McGinn saw a shot turned behind and the resulting corner headed off the line as Scotland started to assert themselves.

At the half hour mark, Scotland were the better team and another explosive counter came after the team played their way out of trouble at the back. Adams tried his luck again but Simon Kjaer blocked.

Scotland goal came after 34 minutes from a set piece. McGinn’s corner was flighted to the back post, Liam Cooper headed it back into the centre and Souttar was perfectly placed to plant a head past Schmeichel.

The Danes were rocked and continued to be held back despite their efforts to get back on level terms. A Wass shot that was deflected wide just before half time was the closest they came before the break.

There was a slower pace at the start of the second half after a breakneck opening period but two offside calls against Denmark, one after Craig Gordon had pulled off a smart save, were proof that the visitors had upped their level.

Scotland’s own intent was unchanged, and another couple of corners at the hour mark kept the opposition on their toes. Soon after Gilmour tested Schmeichel from the edge of the box with a fierce drive.

The Tartan Army were on their feet when Adams found himself with space and took the ball wide past the Danish keeper, only to hit the post and then see the flag go up for offside. Seconds later when Kieran Tierney’s effort from just over half-way was tipped over by Schmeichel when it looked to be curling into the top corner.

Kenny McLean came on for Billy Gilmour in the first Scotland change, the young midfielder having been a key part of Scotland confident display.

Andreas Cornelius had a header off target as Denmark pushed again with 20 minutes to go, and Gordon collected a high ball under pressure after a spell when the Danes had Scotland on the back foot.

Ryan Christie and Andy Robertson were replaced by Stuart Armstrong and Scott McKenna as Clarke looked to add fresh legs to a team that had worked tirelessly.

Denmark made changes of their own and forced a corner with eight minutes to go, McKenna heading clear before Andreas Skov Oksen fired in a volley that Gordon scrambled behind.

Another goalmouth scramble had hearts in mouths before Gordon collected again and Scotland were working hard to defend what they had.

Just when it seemed a nervy conclusion was certain, Scotland broke forward. Armstrong played a through ball for Adams, the striker got across his marker and then rifled a shot past Schmeichel and into the back of the net, sending Hampden wild.

There was almost a third when a close range Armstrong volley was blocked by Kjaer but the result was beyond doubt and the final whistle came soon after to confirm one of the best results for the national team in recent years.