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Joakim Maehle finishes well to make Denmark 2-0 after only 15 minutes
Scotland's World Cup hopes suffered a major blow when they were outclassed in Copenhagen by a lively Denmark to fall seven points behind the leaders of the group.
To head in an opening opener Daniel Wass leapt over Kieran Tierney, and Scotland's composure was gone as they conceded another 93 seconds to make it 2-0.
Joakim Maehle performed a short flick, before running off to Billy Gilmour in order to get Mikkel Damsgaard’s pass. Craig Gordon was then able to finish through Craig Gordon's legs as Steve Clarke folded his side.
The vastly superior Danes didn't help them but it was a good thing. This leaves Scotland with an almost impossible task to overtake them. Top spot guarantees a place next winter in Qatar, while second place will reach the play-offs.
Scotland has fallen two points behind Israel and Austria in the race to be the runners-up, with the two sides meeting in Haifa this Saturday.
Clarke's side is also hosting Moldova at Hampden. Tuesday will see a crucial trip to Austria.
Clarke could still name a strong XI despite the fact that only 16 outfielders were available due to injury or Covid-19 call-offs. However, captain Andy Robertson was selected to play right-wing-back in Nathan Patterson's absence.
Scotland dominated the match from kick-off. Even though Denmark was impressive, their individual mistakes gave them an unfair advantage.
Denmark twice delivered balls from the left side of the box to Wass at the back, but Scotland ignored the warnings. Tierney was left struggling when the Valencia wide man met Pierre Emile-Hjobjerg and placed the ball in the bottom corner.
Scotland collapsed when it became clear that calm was needed. Andreas Skov Olsen drove to the right and played a one two with Yousuf Puulsen at the box's edge.
Scotland had eight back players, but two men went with Maehle. Gilmour, who was offloading the ball, failed to follow him, and he won the game brilliantly, after receiving the return pass.
It was a miserable opening 15 minutes. A comeback looked unlikely despite a better second half. However, Ryan Fraser's save by Kasper Schmeichel would have been a huge help to Scotland, who may have felt uncomfortable in the final 10 minutes.
Kasper Hjulmand's side showed why they are Europe's best team, buoyed this summer by a run to Euro 2020 semi-finals despite suffering from cardiac arrest in Christian Eriksen.
They have dominated Group F thus far scoring 16 goals and conceding none.
Maehle scored not long after scoring. Gordon denied Poulsen at a set-piece when he was left unmarked. Thomas Delaney's rasping shot had to be saved by the Scotland goalkeeper after he was allowed to place himself on the box's edge.
Joakim Maehle is the man of the match
Atalanta fullback Maehle shined at the Euros, and caused havoc on the left-hand side
What have we learned?
It is not a good idea to put square pegs into round holes. Clarke chose to play Robertson on the unfamiliar flank of Robertson, as he didn't have a recognized right-back. It backfired. Under pressure from strong Denmark, the defence was all over the place. After the break, switching the Liverpool player to the left helped the defense.
However, the bigger picture is that Scotland are often too passive when they don't have the ball. In the Euros, Croatia and Czech Republic were given too much time and space with the ball. It was also the same in Copenhagen.
It is also unclear whether the 3-5-2 formation will get the best out of Scotland's technical midfielders or Tierney and Robertson who are the most skilled parts of the team. The constant problem of goals is a continuing problem. Even the once reliable defense concedes regularly.
Scotland will need six points in the two remaining games if they are to be considered for a play-off spot.
Match stats
The 17 meetings between Denmark, Scotland and Norway were not level. Denmark has won seven of them.
Scotland has lost three of its last four competitive games (D1), more than in any of their 14 previous combined (W7 D5L2).
Denmark is now unbeaten in the 21 Euro and World Cup qualifiers (W14D7) since their October 2016 loss to Montenegro by a score of 1-0.
It took just 93 seconds for Wass to open the scoring and Maehle to double Denmark's lead.
Mikkel Damsgaard was involved in nine goals during his nine caps. He scored four and assisted five.
What's next?
Scotland will be at home to Moldova on Saturday, 19:45 BST. Then they travel to Austria on Tuesday, 19:45 BST in a crucial tie. Denmark is away on the Faroes Island, and then home to Israel.
