Lithuania’s national football team endured a tough evening in Odense, Denmark, suffering a 0–5 loss to Denmark in a friendly that laid bare the team’s vulnerabilities in the midst of their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
Coming off a disappointing but solid 0–0 draw against Malta in Saturday’s qualifier, expectations were cautiously optimistic. But against a well-drilled Danish side backed by a vibrant home crowd, Edgaras Jankauskas’ men were overwhelmed from the start.
The match quickly slipped out of reach as Danish striker Mika Biereth scored an early header and, just minutes later, Christian Eriksen doubled the hosts’ lead with a clinical finish. Before Lithuania could regroup, Kasper Dolberg added a third, capitalizing on a disorganized defense. To add insult to injury, Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was the one who assisted the goal.
The first half turned from difficult to disastrous when defender Edgaras Utkus was shown a red card for a last-man foul on Biereth, leaving Lithuania a man down for the remainder of the game.
Denmark extended their advantage after the break as Rasmus Kristensen scored shortly after halftime with a sharp finish into the bottom corner, and Anders Dreyer completed the rout just past the hour mark, curling home Denmark’s fifth.
For Lithuania, the result was a reality check for a defensive structure that held firm against Malta but crumbled under Denmark’s relentless pressure.
The national team will return to competitive action in September with two critical home fixtures: on September 4 against Malta at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, followed by a daunting clash with group heavyweights – the Netherlands – on September 7.
Denmark vs Lithuania – 5:0 (3:0)
Goals: Biereth 12′, Eriksen 18′, Dolberg 23′, Kristensen 48′, Dreyer 62′
DEN: Schmeichel, Kristensen (Gaaei 60′), Andersen (Hogsberg 46′), Vestergaard, Dorgu, Hojbjerg (Froholdt 60′), Hjulmand (O’Riley 72′), Dreyer (Holse 78′), Eriksen, Dolberg, Biereth (Hojlund 71′)
LIT: Gertmonas, Upštas (Sesplaukis 78′), Kazukolovas, Utkus, Tutyškinas (Lekiatis 65′), Milašius (Girdvainis 36′), Slivka (Antanavičius 87′), Vorobjovas, Gineitis, Dolžnikov (Lasickas 65′), Paulauskas (Ružģis 65′)
