Denmark’s World Cup hopes hang by a thread after qualifying failure, with potential Sweden playoff clash dubbed a “horror scenario” by Danish media.
COPENHAGEN: Danish football faces a potential nightmare playoff scenario after the national team’s dramatic World Cup qualifying collapse.
The Danes squandered automatic qualification with poor performances against Belarus and Scotland during the final international window.
Neighbours Norway topped their group to qualify automatically while Sweden secured a playoff berth through the Nations League.
Denmark now faces the prospect of a high-stakes playoff semi-final against local rivals Sweden.
“It would be a horror scenario because the consequence of a Danish defeat would mean that Denmark would have to spend the summer on the couch watching Sweden and Norway participate in the finals,” said BT sports editor Lasse Voge.
Denmark entered their final matches controlling their own destiny but stumbled to a 2-2 home draw against Belarus.
They needed only a point against Scotland to secure World Cup qualification but conceded two stoppage-time goals in a 4-2 defeat.
Scotland qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 while Denmark dropped into the playoffs.
“For Denmark to get one point over two games and finish 4-2 here… we have to look ourselves in the mirror and say that it’s simply not good enough,” said former striker Nicklas Bendtner.
Former international Lars Jacobsen warned Denmark won’t advance from playoffs if they repeat their mistakes.
The playoff draw takes place in Zurich on Thursday with Denmark among top seeds alongside Italy, Turkey and Ukraine.
They will face a fourth-seed team from Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia or Northern Ireland in a March 26 semi-final.
Victory would send Denmark to a March 31 decider against second or third-seeded opponents for a World Cup spot. – Reuters
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