The ensuing chaos inside Hampden Park as the ball struck the net will be unforgettable for those who watched it live and many others who have rewatched it on social media.

But consider Schmeichel—amidst the turmoil stood the visibly devastated 39-year-old figure.

Although the match was nearly over for the Danes by the timeMcLean capitalized on the loose ball and delivered the final blow, had Schmeichel not wandered off, there might have been one last opportunity for the visitors.

Unfortunately for him and Denmark, that goal will be replayed repeatedly, something the goalkeeper will have to come to terms with.

It is worth questioning whether the veteran should have been considered at all, though.

Is Schmeichel past his prime?

There is reportedly a viewpoint in Denmark that Schmeichel has long passed his peak and perhaps hasn't been the ideal choice for the No.1 spot for some time.

However, Mads Hermansen lost his starting position shortly after joining West Ham, and Filip Jorgensen has encountered similar struggles at Chelsea.

Additionally, Oliver Christensen (Sturm Graz) and Peter Vindahl Jensen's (Sparta Prague) relative inexperience at the highest level, along with Frederik Ronnow's retirement from international duty, complicate matters.

So do the statistics actually support that Schmeichel is the best option among a mediocre group?

Poor performance in WC qualification

Looking at club play, it’s notable that the Celtic goalkeeper’s save percentages of 77.1 in 2024/25 and 74.2 in 2025/26 surpass every season he played for Leicester City.

The only seasons with better stats since 2012/13 were 2022/23 with Nice (75.5%) and 2023/24 with Anderlecht (79.5%).

While it’s true his numbers dropped significantly during World Cup qualification, posting only a 50% save rate in six matches, he also kept three clean sheets.

At the 2024 European Championship, he achieved a 75% save rate, and a 71.4% save percentage with four clean sheets in eight Nations League games is respectable as well.

Hermansen only played four games in 2025/26

Hermansen was acquired by West Ham in the summer following an impressive stint at Leicester City.

He started immediately in the season opener against newly-promoted Sunderland, but was repeatedly exposed as the Irons suffered a 3-0 defeat on Wearside.

Things worsened in the next match against Chelsea, where West Ham lost 5-1 at home. After just two more games—a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham —the management decided to replace the Dane, and he has remained on the bench ever since.

A 45% save rate across those four matches suggests the 25-year-old likely isn’t ready for the national team role yet either.

Even during Leicester’s Premier League tenure, Hermansen’s best save percentage was only 63.3%, with just one clean sheet in 27 appearances.

He hasn’t played for the national team since representing the U21s in 2023, when he managed a 77.8% save rate and three clean sheets in nine games.

His failure to replicate that form at club level recently has clearly hindered his progress.

Jorgensen’s nerves showing

Jorgensen has appeared in only four club matches this season.

The Chelsea goalkeeper played 85 minutes against Manchester United and a full 90 minutes a few days later in a Carabao Cup match versusLincoln City.

A 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax gave the 23-year-old another full game, with his last 90 minutes coming in late October during a 4-3 victory against Wolves.

Similar to Hermansen, his performances have shown nervousness and a lack of command in his area, along with conceding many goals, likely costing him further chances.

His best save percentage of 72.5% was back in 2022/23 with Villarreal's B team, which speaks volumes.

Also mainly a Danish U21 player, Jorgensen’s sole senior national team appearance (against Northern Ireland in June 2025) earned him a disappointing rating of 6.4.

Peter Vindahl Jensen’s chances at Sparta seem over

Vindahl Jensen’s opportunity may have already passed as well.

In 16 matches for Sparta Prague this season, he has only managed four clean sheets and has a poor 65.3% save rate.

He performed significantly better (75.4%) in 2023/24 during his first year at the club, with his best stats recorded while playing in Denmark’s Superliga for Nordsjaelland.

His only national team honors are two appearances for Denmark’s U21 side in 2019.

Christensen might be the one to watch

Therefore, Oliver Christensen could be the goalkeeper to keep an eye on.

The 26-year-old has steadily improved his stats over recent years, with his current 72.5% save percentage for Sturm Graz marking his third-best performance in seven years.

Four clean sheets in 11 games is a decent record, although national selectors might question whether the Austrian Bundesliga is the best environment to test himself.

Having not played for Denmark since his U21 stint in 2021, is he now the right candidate to be called up?

These are the selection challenges the Danes face moving forward...