Albania refuse to yield to Denmark pressure

• Denmark miss chance to overtake Portugal at top of section
• Hosts find no way past Etrit Berisha to remain a point behind leaders
• Albania level on ten points with Morten Olsen's men after resolute performance
• Next games: Armenia v Denmark, Albania v Portugal (7 September)

Denmark failed to overtake Portugal at the top of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group I as a resolute Albania refused to buckle in Copenhagen.

Home coach Morten Olsen pulled a rabbit out of the hat by giving 20-year-old Pione Sisto his debut and the talented Midtjylland winger showed plenty of promise in the first half. After 15 minutes, he had the first effort of the match but despite displaying his quick feet to cruise past Albania captain Lorik Cana the finish flew straight into the arms of Etrit Berisha. The visitors were not without threat themselves and Sokol Çikalleshi's header had Kasper Schmeichel scrambling to tip over the bar.

Olsen attempted to up his sides' game in the second period by introducing both goalscorers from June's win against Serbia – Yussuf Poulsen and Jakob Poulsen. That tipped the balance the way of the Danes and they cranked up the pressure on Berisha's goal.

Nicklas Bendtner attempts to get Denmark going forward©AFP/Getty Images

Nicklas Bendtner had a shot blocked on the line by Ansi Agolli eight minutes after the restart before Nicolai Jørgensen followed up with a number of big chances. It looked like he had given the hosts the lead when his header from Jakob Poulsen's corner was heading into the net only for Berisha to pull off an outstanding stop.

Two minutes later it was Jørgensen who dribbled pass two defenders but sent a shot straight into the arms of the keeper. Denmark pushed all the way to the end but there was almost a sting in the tail for them side as Odise Roshi sprinted clear on the break in added time but a sigh of relief sounded from the stadium as Schmeichel made himself big to deny the substitute an unlikely winner.