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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Scintillating Scotland stun Denmark to seal play-off advantage

Scotland closed out their World Cup qualifying campaign with an outstanding victory over Group F winners Denmark to seal home advantage for their crunch play-off semi-final match next year.

John Souttar's first half header and Che Adams' second half strike earned a famous win at a sell-out Hampden.

Scotland had sealed their play-off spot on Friday night with a 2-0 win in Moldova, but this was far from a dead rubber.

While the Danes the pride of maintaining a 100 per cent record in the group, Scotland required a victory to ensure home advantage for the one-off semi-final tie in March and Steve Clarke's men delivered with an outstanding display.

Here are three of the main talking points from a huge night in Mount Florida.

Home advantage for play-offs

(SNS Group)

It may have seemed a long shot before a ball was kicked given Denmark had a 100 per cent record in the group and hadn't lost a qualifying match in 24 outings, but somehow we pulled it off.

Tonight's superb victory has handed us home advantage for the play-offs in March and that could prove crucial in negotiating our way to the World Cup and jumping on the plane to Qatar this time next year.

With another sell-out crowd at Hampden for the one-leg semi-final, it's set to be some occasion whoever the draw hands us later this month.

Scintillating Scotland

(PA)

Well, that was special.

Some of the first half interplay and counter attacking from Steve Clarke's side was a joy to watch at times.

A break involving Adams and Robertson should really have delivered the opener before Souttar's goal.

Countless chances came our way and Scotland were scintillating to watch in that first half in particular.

And the composure from Adams to seal the victory late on delivered that rare moment of being able to enjoy the final few minutes of a Scotland game.

(Action Images via Reuters)

The Danes, although somewhat depleted, were on the ropes at times and if we can repeat this kind of football in March when the play-offs come calling, we'll give ourselves a real chance of realising our Qatar 2022 dream.

It was as good a Scotland display that we've seen in many a year, with the likes of key men Lyndon Dykes and Nathan Patterson missing.

Let's just hope we haven't peaked too soon!

O'Donnell makes history

O'Donnell is a Motherwell record-holder. (SNS Group)

Stephen O'Donnell came in to replace suspended Rangers defender Nathan Patterson at right-back - and in doing so created a little piece of history.

The Motherwell captain became the Fir Park side's record cap holder, as his 24th cap for his country was his 13th for the Steelmen. That surpassed Hall of Famer George Stevenson's tally of 12 accrued during the 1920s and 1930s.

O'Donnell had a solid night at the back and can look back on a clean sheet to add to his record-breaking appearance.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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