Kasper Schmeichel noticed something wasn’t quite right during his pre-match Belarus vs Denmark warm-up on Thursday.
The Celtic stopper was selected to start the 2026 World Cup qualifier at the ZTE Arena in Hungary, played there because UEFA are not allowing Belarus to play at home due to their support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He was focused on earning yet another clean sheet this season against a side who are dead set on finishing bottom of Group C, which also features Scotland and Greece.
But his attention was immediately diverted to the goal frame, which had to be adjusted.
Schmeichel spots goal frame for Denmark vs Belarus was too high
Schmeichel spotted that the height of the goal frame was too high and asked the ground staff to measure it and readjust accordingly.
The Hoops goalkeeper’s teammates Jonas Wind and Joakim Mæhle, as well as Denmark staff member Christian Nørkjær, also noticed the issue before it was quickly rectified.
Schmeichel went on to make a clean sheet as Denmark romped to a 6-0 win that sees them top of the group level on points with Scotland.
Speaking to TV 2 after the game, Schmeichel said: “As goalkeepers, you work in millimetres and centimetres, when you’ve been in there for as many years as I have, you know where things need to be.
“I knew it right away. And I was right. We all had the feeling that it was higher when we went in there. It’s the margins that decide things, so it’s important that it’s in order.
“We actually also experienced it at the World Cup in Russia before the Peru match. There the goal was 20 centimeters higher than it should be.”
Schmeichel had a carefree night in Hungary
Belarus are not a good side and Schmeichel, as a result, was hardly tested across the 6-0 rout in Zalaegerszeg.
The home side registered just one shot on target, which won’t exactly sit well with Celtic fans given the goalkeeper’s recent form.
Of course, Schmeichel will be delighted that he kept another clean sheet this season, but he was hardly worked on the night.
It comes after a dip in Schmeichel’s form for Celtic, particularly during the Braga defeat when he made several mistakes at Parkhead.
A convincing performance with plenty of saves to go along with his shutout would have been ideal for the veteran’s confidence.
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