DENMARK: Schmeichel (Krogh s46), Helveg, Rieper, Olsen, Risager (Laursen s81), Schjonberg, Steen, Nielsen, Thomsen, Beck, M Laudrup (Nielsen s85), B Laudrup. Subs not used: Lonstrup, Rasmussen.
Scorers: M. Laudrop (7), B. Laudrop (27)
SCOTLAND: Leighton (Goram s46), McKimmie, T McKinlay, Boyd, Hendry (B McKinlay s74), McCall (Gemmill s46), Burley, Gallacher (McCoist s73), Spencer (Jackson s73), McAllister, Collins. Coach: Craig Brown.
Referee: Jan Wegereef (Holland).
Match Report
Goals from both Brian and Michael Laudrup well and truly dumped the Scots in Copenhagen on Wednesday night last. The speedy Danish brothers notched a goal apiece in the first half which showed exactly how tough it'll be for Craig Brown's side in England this summer. And all I can say is, thank goodness they eased off in the second half. European champions they may be, but the Danes aren't among the favourites for this year's tourney.
That told Craig Brown all he needed to know about the task he faces come June. He came here to find out where Scotland stood. Now he knows. It was men against boys at times - and we're lucky it didn't turn into the humiliation Denmark threatened at one stage. Yes, we did play some decent football and even created a few chances in the second half.
But by then Denmark had chucked it. When you look at the big picture, we needed Jim Leighton to be a miracle man in that devastating opening 45 minutes. Gary McAllister also worked hard and Scot Gemmill had a decent second half. Otherwise, it wasn't a happy night - least of all for Tom Boyd and Kevin Gallacher, who were booked. The Laudrups led the charge, but there was quality stamped all over Denmark - and the Scots had no answer.
Brown can only pray that defenders Alan McLaren and Colin Calderwood - who did so well in the qualifying stage - will be fit for England. Brian Laudrup scored the killer second goal 20 minutes after brother Michael had opened the account. But the Rangers star said: "Scotland can still get it right when it matters. They knew it was a friendly, but when points are at stake it will be a different ball game.
"We played very well in the first half, and I was delighted to score. I'm just sorry I did not score past Andy Goram!" Guys like Colin Hendry, Stewart McKimmie and Tom Boyd never looked at ease as they were opened up again and again by the Danes. Yet it had started quite well as the Scots came close to shocking Denmark inside the first 90 seconds when a snapshot from John Spencer slid inches wide.
But that all came undone in just eight minutes. And it was a self-inflicted wound which hurt us so much. Thomas Helveg robbed Tosh McKinlay on the halfway line, saw Hendry the wrong side of Mikkel Beck and sent the Rangers target on his way. The rest was inevitable. McKimmie faced three Danes on his own and eventually Michael Laudrup sent Beck's cutback past Leighton.
The keeper then had to perform miracles as the Danes sliced through almost at will. Beck had time and space to add a second after 16 minutes, but the legs of the Hibs No.1 saved the day. Peter Schmeichel had to make a super stop to deny Gallacher after good work by McAllister and Spencer, but Leighton was far busier. After 24 minutes, the Scots keeper did brilliantly to stop Lars Olsen in his tracks.
But even he could do nothing four minutes later when Brian Laudrup ended the contest. The Ibrox hero raced through the middle on to a ball from his brother, rounded the keeper, and made it 2-0. It was so simple - and it left Scotland in disarray. Boyd was booked for a wild challenge on Helveg and after that Leighton held a Marc Rieper header before blocking a Michael Laudrup effort.
Brown threw on Andy Goram and Gemmill for Leighton and Stuart McCall at the break, while Krogh replaced Schmeichel. And the fact Denmark felt they had the game in the bag meant they took their foot off the pedal to leave Scotland in charge for long spells. Spencer took too long and lost a chance, while McAllister sent a drive just past. Gallacher's booking for a foul on Jens Risager interrupted the flow.
Krogh did well to hold a John Collins effort then stopped a ferocious McAllister volley. Brown pushed on Ally McCoist and Darren Jackson for Gallacher and Spencer in 73 minutes. Soon after, Hendry was replaced by Billy McKinlay, while the Danes sent on Laursen and Nielsen. Scotland continued to look reasonably comfortable - but there was no way back.