Scotland defeated Denmark on Tuesday 4-2 with Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean’s stoppage-time goals securing Scotland’s place in the World Cup in 2026.
Match highlights
Scott McTominay’s bicycle kick in the third minute set the tone for the game’s dramatic scenes.
Napoli’s Rasmus Højlund leveled things up from the spot after a controversial penalty-call was made on Andy Robertson’s challenge on wide-man Gustav Isaksen.
Additionally, Lawrence Shankland’s tap-in from a corner in the 78th minute put Scotland in a 2-1 lead, before Patrick Dorgu equalised for Denmark a few minutes later with a tidy side-foot finish.
A left-foot pearler from outside the box from Tierney all but secured Scotland’s World Cup qualification, but it was McLean’s halfway line screamer that stamped the Scots’ mark on the game.
Ecstasy in the Scotland camp
Scotland boss Steve Clarke was in disbelief regarding his players’ brilliant performance on the night, as well as the standard of goals they delivered.
“Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen and it might not have been the best goal of the night!” Clarke told the BBC.
“It was a lot of emotions. High and low. At times, you’re looking for solutions and thinking how to change it. I knew at some stage we’d have to go two up front.
“I felt the Danes were dominating us a little. It seemed like a good time [to make the changes]. Whether they were 10 or 11 [men], we were going to do that.
On Tierney and McLean’s wonder goals, Clarke said: “I’m not sure I envisioned the goal… but when it was rolling back to him (Tierney) on his left foot, I knew he would score.
“When Kenny hit it, I thought ‘what are you doing?!’ but when I saw it in flight, I thought ‘that’s going to go in!'”
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A tribute to Diogo
Scotland captain and Liverpool legend Robertson said that he couldn’t get his friend Diogo Jota out of his head on the day, who passed earlier this year from a tragic car accident.
“I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits. I know the age I’m at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup,” he told the BBC.
“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head. We spoke so much about the World Cup.
“He missed out last time because of injury, I missed out because Scotland didn’t qualify and we always discussed what it would be like going to the World Cup.
“I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier. I think I hid it well from the boys.
“I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me. I couldn’t get him out of my head all day.”
A ‘never say die’ attitude
Speaking on the Scots’ willingness to win and not accept defeat, Robertson added: “That just sums up this squad. Never say die, we just keep going right to the end.
“One of the craziest games of football. We’ve certainly put the country through it, but I’m sure it’s worth it – we’re going to the World Cup and I can’t believe it.
“This group of boys and staff, it’s the best group I’ve ever been involved in. The manager’s speech before the game in the hotel was unbelievable.
“He went through the big moments we’ve had. He said, ‘Let’s make it another one’. To do it for him, for all the staff, all the families, it is one of the greatest nights of my life.”
The 2026 World Cup draw will commence on December 5, with the event itself taking place from June 11 to July 19 of next year.
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