Denmark qualifies for World Cup after win against Austria

 

Denmark became the second European team to qualify for next year's World Cup by beating Austria 1-0 on Tuesday to maintain the team's perfect record in its group. 

Joakim Maehle's 53rd-minute goal at Parken Stadium secured an eighth straight qualifying win for the Danes, who have yet to concede in Group F and have the only 100% record. The midfielder scored with a sweeping shot teed up by Thomas Delaney’s direct run at the Austrian defense.

Austria still have a good chance of qualifying for the play-offs through last year's Nations League groups even if they do not finish in the top two. 

For the play-offs from 24 to 29 March, the ten group runners-up will be joined by the two best group winners from the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League overall rankings that have neither qualified directly for the World Cup as European Qualifiers group winners, nor entered the play-offs already as European Qualifiers group runners-up. These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths for one-off semi-finals and a final. The three path winners qualify for the World Cup.