FIFA International Friendly | Wednesday, 3 June 2026 Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liege, Belgium | Referee: Lothar D’Hondt (BEL)
Three times the woodwork. One goalkeeper who was barely human. And a final score of 0-0 that flattered nobody and told you quite a lot about both squads at the same time.
Denmark and DR Congo drew a blank in Liege on Wednesday evening in a game that had its moments — genuine drama, big chances, a 0-0 scoreline that was both fair and deeply frustrating depending on which way you were looking at it. For Denmark, who are not going to the World Cup, the evening was about starting again. For DR Congo, who are, it was about testing themselves and arriving in the United States with some confidence intact.
They both got something. Neither got everything.
Lionel Mpasi was the man of the match and it was not particularly close. The DR Congo goalkeeper — playing in a country not his own, in a stadium with a crowd that had not come specifically to watch him — made saves that had no right to be made. A 42nd-minute stop from Albert Grønbæk that was heading into the top corner. A second-half intervention from Simon Banza’s effort — wait, that was at the other end, we will get to that — and a general command of his area that earned him a Sofascore rating of 8.0 across the 90 minutes.
Denmark had 60.3% of the ball. Six shot attempts to DR Congo’s four. Two shots on goal to one. Three efforts hit the woodwork across the course of the evening — the most eye-catching from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who struck the upright with a driven effort from outside the box in the second half that deserved a goal. Christian Eriksen was involved in Denmark’s better moments. Rasmus Højlund worked hard in the centre without ever quite breaking free.
Brian Riemer started with his strongest available group. Andreas Christensen was back in the squad — the Barcelona centreback rejoining after a period of absence — and started alongside Joachim Andersen in the heart of defence. Patrick Dorgu at left back was one of Denmark’s better performers when attacking — quick, direct, always looking to get into positions where he could cross. Riemer’s Denmark played a 4-3-3 with Grønbæk and Eriksen providing creativity around Højbjerg in midfield.
For Denmark, this window is about more than this match. They missed the World Cup after losing a penalty shootout to Czechia in the European play-offs. That result was painful. Riemer is rebuilding — not completely, because the squad has genuine quality, but reshaping the identity and working out which players can be trusted in high-pressure moments. A 0-0 against DR Congo tells him very little about that. It does tell him Mpasi is difficult to beat.
DR Congo were organised from the first whistle. Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe kept the box tidy. Pierre Kalulu was composed in possession. Yoane Wissa was their most dangerous attacker — creative, quick, always looking to turn and run — and he caused Christensen and Andersen real problems at moments in the second half. Simon Banza came on and nearly won it late — his effort saved well by Filip Jørgensen, who made his own contribution to keeping the score level.
The first half was tighter than the stats suggest. DR Congo sat in a 5-3-2 that was very difficult to break down and tried to use Bakambu and Wissa on the counter. Denmark had most of the ball but could not find the decisive pass in the final third. Grønbæk’s effort near the end of the half was the closest they came — Mpasi’s save was the best moment of the first 45 minutes.
The second half opened up slightly. Denmark pushed higher. Højbjerg hit the post. Grønbæk drove at goal again and was closed down. Erik Osула had a chance from range that sailed over. DR Congo hit their own patches of pressure — Wissa twice breaking forward and forcing Danish defenders into last-ditch challenges.
Nothing came of any of it. 0-0. Final whistle. Three minutes of added time announced, and then silence.
This was the first-ever meeting between Denmark and DR Congo as senior internationals. The occasion deserved a goal. The quality on show — from Mpasi especially — deserved more attention than a 0-0 scoreline usually gets.
DR Congo head to the United States knowing they are in Group K alongside Argentina, Mexico and one more side. They will face far more dangerous opponents than Denmark. But they have showed they can defend and create, and Wissa in particular will cause problems for anyone.
Denmark go back to their domestic clubs knowing the World Cup is not their story this summer. Riemer will have his work cut out to make them competitive in the next qualifying cycle. The talent is there. The margins are thin. This week proved both things simultaneously.
For live international football scores and coverage, visit fawanews.org.uk. Full squads, group tables and World Cup fixtures are at the official FIFA website.
Denmark 0-0 DR Congo FIFA International Friendly | Wednesday, 3 June 2026 Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liege, Belgium | Referee: Lothar D’Hondt (BEL)
Goals: None | Half-time: 0-0
Denmark (4-3-3): Jørgensen; Maehle, Andersen, Christensen, Dorgu; Grønbæk, Højbjerg, Eriksen; Højlund, Isaksen, Osула Subs used: Provstgaard, Froholdt, Høgh, Andersen
DR Congo (5-3-2): Mpasi; Masuaku, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kalulu, Sadiki; Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu Subs used: Banza, Pickel, Osула
Stats: Possession DEN 60.3% — COD 39.7% | Shots on Goal 2-1 | Attempts 6-4 | Corners 2-1 | Saves 1-2 | Yellow Cards 1-0
