2021-23 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers
Denmark 1-1 Scotland
Friday, 5 June 2022 
Vejle Stadion, Vejle

Scotland backed up last weekend's draw with Belgium with another outstanding result as they drew 1-1 against Denmark in Vejle.

Stephen Kelly's wonderful curling free-kick had given them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Denmark's Maurits Kjaergaard hit back with an equally impressive finish in the 70th minute as the match finished all square.

The result means Scotland remained unbeaten in all their away matches as their European Championship Qualifying campaign came to an end.

 

Scorers 

Denmark 1: Kjaergaard (70)

Scotland 1: Kelly (45)

Team News

After losing Connor Barron to suspension, the young Scots were dealt another blow as Elliot Anderson was forced to miss the match through injury

Josh Mulligan came into the eleven to make his first start for the Under-21s after making his debut on Sunday, while Stephen Kelly replaced the injured Anderson. 

As It Happened

It was the Danes who started the better and Scotland goalkeeper Ross Sinclair was forced to make an acrobatic save from Morten Frendrup's long-range effort. 

Ross Graham was the next to produce some heroics in defence and his block then prevented a certain goal from Denmark's Maurits Kjaergaard. 

The home side were enjoying a lot of the ball but Scotland held firm defensively as the first half wore on, without creating much in the way of clear cut chances of their own.

When Denmark did get through, Sinclair was once again equal to the efforts, twice denying Gustav Isaksen with impressive saves.

The away side had hardly ventured forward but they managed to make the breakthrough with their first opportunity with the last kick of the first half.

Josh Mulligan's outstanding driving run was the catalyst, as he beat a number of defenders before winning a free-kick 25 yards out.

Kelly stepped up and curled home a delicious free-kick which left Mads Hermansen with no chance as it went in off the crossbar. 

That goal gave Scotland something to hold onto and they were content to sit deep and soak up the pressure from the Danes as the second half began. 

Rasmus Hojlund was next to go close for the hosts but his shot on the turn ended up in the side netting. 

Scotland were battling resolutely but they were undone by a moment of magic, as Kjaergaard latched onto a squared ball an unleashed a crisp low finish which left Sinclair with no chance to make it 1-1.

Lewis Mayo had a chance to restore Scotland's lead but he could only fire straight at the goalkeeper. 

The inspired Sinclair then produced another moment of real quality to keep the scores level as Casper Tengstedt powered in a back post header.

Leon King came on late to make his Scotland debut and despite Mathias Ross hitting the crossbar with a header, the away team held on for a brilliant away draw.

Next Up

This match concludes Scotland's European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign. With next set of qualifiers not beginning until 2023 Gemmill's side's next outing will likely be in a friendly match later this year. 

Teams

Scotland: Sinclair, Freeman, Welsh, Mayo, Graham, Burroughs (King 80), High, Mulligan, Kelly, Leonard (Smith 64), Mebude 

Unused Substitutes: Long, Sharp, Clayton, Lowry, Henderson, Meekison

Denmark: Hermansen, Carstensen, Winther, Sery Larsen, Frendrup, Isaksen (Jorgensen 68), Daramy, Hojlund (Tengstedt 68), O'Riley (Gronbaek 76), Kjaergaard, Bidstrup

Unused Substitutes: Pederson, Ross, Jensen, Kvistgaarden, Vinther, Villadsen, Madsen,