Postpublished at 20:27 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

20:27 BST 16 June 2023

Denmark 0-0 Northern Ireland

Isaac Price is back on his feet after treatment following a clash of heads with Andreas Shov Olsen.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill will be happy with the current scoreline and if his team can keep it that way until the break then it will be one very decent 45 minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

I expected more from Denmark, they have been poor, but you have to give credit to Northern Ireland, they have put in a shift.

Michael will need to use his bench in the second-half given what the players have put into this first-half.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in Copenhagen

Northern Ireland's shape has been good so far, from a defensive point of view.

Jonny Evans is constantly marshalling the back five, cajoled from the sidelines by manager Michael O'Neill, and each of them have looked solid while covering for each other well when Denmark have threatened to get in behind.

What looks like a diamond in midfield, anchored by Shea Charles and with Isaac Price at the forward tip, has been effective in closing the hosts down.

The problem is Northern Ireland lack options in attack, with no real width and with Shayne Lavery getting little to no service up front.

It's so far, so good but you do wonder how long Northern Ireland can hold this defensive shape for.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

Defensively, Charles has been magnificent, he is so good on the ball, but tonight we are seeing why he has played centre-back before.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

I think Saville closed him down too late. If there was a deflection on that Peacock-Farrell was in troubled. Andersen struck it well, but thankfully Peacock-Farrell had his angles covered.

Joachim Andersen moves forward from defence and with no-one closing him down he lets fly from 20 yards, but it's straight at Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

Price just can't get in the game, every ball is going over his head and the big Danish centre-backs are sweeping it up.

Northern Ireland's Trai Hume attempts to get across to thwart winger Andreas Skov Olsen.

Image source, Getty Images

Christian Eriksen tries his luck from a 30-yard free-kick but it curls high over the Northern Ireland woodwoork.

The hosts have upped the tempo in the last 10 minutes but they've still to carve out a clear-cut chance after 25 minutes.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

If we can just get the ball down, get a few passes and put a few crosses into the box to settle us down we can give them something to worry about.

The fall balls to Joakim Maehle on the edge of the box and his shot is deflcted wide - Northern Ireland clear the corner.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in Copenhagen

Trai Hume is having to work extremely hard and concentrate fully on what is his first start for Northern Ireland.

Andreas Skov Olsen is hugging the right touchline for Denmark and continually looking to make threatening runs in behind off the ball.

Hume is more naturally suited to playing on the right but he is doing a good job so far at left wing-back. He just needs to stay alert, which won't be easy.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

Peacock-Farrell is taking his time over everything and I am sure that is by instruction. Why not? They need to take breather at every opportunity.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

That is what Lavery does, he makes the most of half chances. That wasn't a great ball by Price, but Lavery made the most of it, the slight deflection almost caused Schmeichel problems.

That shows Northern Ireland that the right pass can open up chances.

A sniff of goal for the returning Shayne Lavery as the bustling striker works his way into space before his deflected 20-yard effort has Kasper Schmeichel scrambling across to make the save.

Good stuff from the visitors.

So far, so good for Northern Ireland with that half-chance for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg the only danger provided by the hosts.

It's not pretty but it's proving effective and Michael O'Neill will be satisfield with affairs in the first 15 minutes.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

Northern Ireland have done well so far, they are pressuring Denmark well in their own half. Denmark have only had that half chance from Hojbjerg so far.