Playoff Wrap: Danes demolish North Macedonia, Gyokeres nets hat-trick to help Sweden progress

In the other playoff games, Poland came from behind to beat Albania 2-1 and reach the playoff finals, with Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski netting ‌second-half goals to set up a Path B decider away to Sweden on Tuesday

GREAT DANES: Denmark's Morten Hjulmand, left, and Rasmus Hojlund celebrate an emphatic win. Pic: Liselotte Sabroe and Ritzau Scanpix/AP

Gustav Isaksen scored twice in two minutes as Denmark powered to a 4-0 win over North Macedonia in their 2026 ​World Cup European play-off semi-final in Copenhagen on Thursday to ‌earn a place in Tuesday’s Path D decider against either Czech Republic or Ireland.

Mikkel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard were also on target as Denmark pulled away ​in the second half having been held scoreless in the ​opening period, and they now head to the final seeking ⁠a third successive World Cup qualification.