Denmark and Switzerland verified spots at Euro 2020 to the detriment of the Republic of Ireland on Monday as Roberto Mancini’s Italy finished the game perfectly and qualified by scoring nine. Ireland needed to defeat Denmark in Dublin to clinch qualifier round for next year’s 24 team European Championship finals, but Matt Doherty’s late header was more than enough to earn Mick McCarthy’s men a 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium.

An intently battled challenge, low on technical quality, swung the visitor’s way when the plain Martin Braithwaite stood out a boot to redirect a Henrik Dalsgaard cross into the net in just 73 minutes.

In any case, Ireland scored a late equalizer to draw the match with 1-1 Copenhagen in June and they rehashed the achievement here as Wolverhampton Wanderers right-back Doherty headed in an Enda Stevens cross with 5 minutes left.

Needing to win, the home side then threw everything at their opponents in the dying moments, but Denmark held on to clinch second place in Group D behind Switzerland. Danes, European heroes would be able to play in home city for finals.

Michael Joseph McCarthy said to the sky sports “We had opportunities but I am not going to criticise the lads”. And also he added that, “They have been brilliant. We lost one game out of eight. I am very proud of them. We can beat anyone in the play-offs”.