DENMARK GEARED UP for a decisive European Championship qualification date with Ireland in Dublin next Monday as they thrashed group whipping boys Gibraltar 6-0 at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
The result, coupled with Switzerland’s 1-0 home win over Georgia at the Kybunpark in St Gallen, means Ireland will have to beat the Danes by way of any scoreline if they are to automatically seal their spot in next summer’s continental showpiece.
Robert Skov and Christian Eriksen each scored twice — the latter netting both of his goals in the final eight minutes — as Denmark put their amateur visitors to the sword, battling difficult conditions to pull away comprehensively in the second half.
🇩🇰 4-0 🇬🇮
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2019
Robert Skov with his second of the night.#EuropeanQualifiers #VMSport pic.twitter.com/J5DCMmVSV1
Their lead was only 1-0 at the break, Skov capitalising on a comedy of errors to bundle home off the floor — with an assist from his own hand — on 12 minutes.
Christian Gytkjaer added a second just after the break before the floodgates opened: Martin Braithwaite, Skov again, and then Eriksen on the double saw the Danes towards Dublin in fine fettle, their tails up.
Christian Eriksen in on the act in Copenhagen.
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2019
See you Monday, old friend...#EuropeanQualifiers #VMSport pic.twitter.com/61g6DCZHE2
Ireland’s task would probably have been made more difficult had Switzerland only drawn with Georgia: a point for the Swiss instead of three on Friday night likely would have meant Mick McCarthy’s men would have had to beat Denmark by two clear goals in order to go through — this due to the tiebreaking rules in the event that three teams finish level on points at the top of a group, during which they’re essentially ranked in a mini league based only on games between them.
Cedric Itten with a debut goal for Switzerland!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2019
Big goal for Ireland potentially!#EuropeanQualifiers #VMSport pic.twitter.com/r5rQqm6GDi
With 13 minutes of normal time remaining, however, the Swiss struck through a powerful header by Cedric Itten, a goal which simplifies Ireland’s mission on Monday — that is unless Switzerland draw in Gibraltar.
Barring that freak result, an Ireland win by any margin at the Aviva Stadium will be enough to see them through to Euro 2020 while a draw will suffice for their visitors.
