Denmark cruised to a dominant 4-0 victory over North Macedonia in their play-off semi-final, moving within one win of qualifying for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.
Denmark moved a step closer to qualifying for a third successive FIFA World Cup after producing a commanding 4-0 victory over North Macedonia at Parken Stadium. The result marked their 17th win in 21 home matches and underlined their strong form on familiar ground as they booked a place in the play-off final.
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Det ender 4-0 foran et udsolgt Parken, efter en fremragende kamp hvor Herrelandsholdet scorer fire mål i 2. halvleg 🤩
Nu retter de fokus på den afgørende playoff-kamp på tirsdag!#ForDanmark pic.twitter.com/E4SN2HfrJv
— Fodboldlandsholdene 🇩🇰 (@dbulandshold) March 26, 2026
The hosts controlled proceedings from the outset, dominating possession and limiting North Macedonia’s attacking opportunities. Stole Dimitrievski was kept busy in the visitors’ goal, while Mads Hermansen, deputising for the injured Kasper Schmeichel, had comparatively little to do for Denmark.
Joakim Mæhle created the first real opening of the match when he worked his way into the penalty area, but Dimitrievski produced a solid save to deny him. North Macedonia briefly threatened when Darko Churlinov tested Hermansen with a dangerous free-kick, forcing the Danish goalkeeper into an even better stop.
Denmark continued to push forward before the break, with Alexander Bah firing narrowly wide and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg forcing another save from Dimitrievski. Despite their dominance, the breakthrough proved elusive in the first half, leaving the contest finely balanced heading into the interval.
The deadlock was finally broken shortly after the restart, as Mikkel Damsgaard reacted quickest to a rebound and fired into the corner to put Denmark ahead. The Brentford midfielder soon turned provider, delivering a cross that Gustav Isaksen controlled before striking in off the post to double the advantage.
Isaksen then sealed the victory before the hour mark, completing a quickfire brace by capitalising on another rebound inside the box. Rasmus Højlund later went close to adding his name to the scoresheet but dragged his effort wide as Denmark continued to dominate.
Denmark eventually added a fourth goal when two experienced campaigners combined from a corner, with Christian Eriksen picking out Christian Nørgaard, who powered a header into the net.
The emphatic win ended North Macedonia’s hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup finals, while Denmark moved within one match of securing their place on football’s biggest stage.
