Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel grabbed the headlines as Denmark drew 0-0 away to Serbia last night to secure their place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.

Kasper Schmeichel Celtic
Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v RB Leipzig – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 5, 2024 Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel celebrates after the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

The Hoops’ number one came up trumps for his country and put in a man-of-the-match display as they got the point they needed to finish second in their group consisting of the Serbs, European champions Spain, and ever-tricky Switzerland.

Denmark knew they needed just a point to qualify for the latter stages of the Nations League for the first time in their history, and they got exactly that.

Things didn’t go as swimmingly as boss Brian Riemer would have liked, though. Serbia had 22 shots on goal compared to Denmark’s eight [FotMob]. Six of the hosts’ attempts were on target, too. They also had two big chances and created an xG (expected goals) of 1.91, to Denmark’s measly 0.41.

The stats say Serbia should have won, but Schmeichel’s outstanding display prevented them from doing so. The veteran made six key saves and was rightly given the Player of the Match award after the game.

Denmark now looks forward to the Nations League quarter-final draw, where they will face a two-legged tie against a League A group winner in March. They could play Portugal, France, Germany, or Spain.

Schmeichel’s full attention, however, now turns back to Celtic ahead of a gruelling fixture run from this Saturday until next March. Things kick off against Hearts at Tynecastle.

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