Denmark host San Marino on Tuesday in a game they simply must win. When the two nations last met, Kasper Hjulmand’s side won 4-0 and their dominance can be displayed via Denmark’s 85% possession and 32 attempts at goal.
San Marino
San Marino hold the status of the lowest ranked footballing nation in the world and unfortunately, they are seen as a guaranteed three points by almost every nation in qualifying. They’ve never won a competitive fixture and their overall goals scored/conceded is, 28 to 827, with their most recent goal coming in the 2021 7-1 defeat to Poland. San Marino are unsurprisingly bottom of Group H, scoring zero and conceding 24.
This week, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Northern Ireland and the game was wrapped up in the 11th minute as they were already 2-0 up. San Marino had two attempts at goal and were just enduring waves of Northern Ireland attacks. They eventually conceded the third in the 81st minute.
Denmark
In Group H, Denmark currently sit in second place due to goal difference. Slovenia and Denmark are both on 16 points, but the former tops the group having scored one more goal. Hjulmand has developed a formula that allows his side to be dangerous in attack and solid at the back, with his side scoring 15 goals and conceding six in seven matches. They have a squad full of technical players that can compete with the best in Europe.
Last time out, Denmark were victorious at home over Kazakhstan, who are the only side to have beaten the Danes in qualifying. The hosts dominated the tie and by half time, they were two goals up. Robert Skov scored his second of the game just minutes after the break, which essentially wrapped up the tie, yet the visitors did pull a goal back just before the hour mark. The tie ended in a comfortable 3-1 win.
Verdict?
Anything less than a clean sheet, a victory and multiple goals will be seen as a failure for Denmark. They will be desperate to increase their goal difference and with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen, they should find plenty of joy in attack.
The final prediction is Denmark 5-0 San Marino.
