Glasgow: Scotland have qualified for the men’s World Cup 2026 for the first time since 1998 after a dramatic 4–2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park, sealed by stoppage-time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.
The night began spectacularly when Scott McTominay produced a stunning bicycle kick in the third minute to give Scotland a 1–0 lead heading into half-time.
Denmark responded early in the second half, with Rasmus Højlund scoring in the 57th minute. Moments later, Danish defender Rasmus Kristensen was sent off, giving Scotland an advantage. Lawrence Shankland capitalised soon after to restore Scotland’s lead.
However, Denmark struck back with nine minutes remaining when Patrick Dorgu equalised, a goal that appeared enough for the Danes to secure the point they needed to top the group and qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
But Scotland produced a stunning finish. In the third minute of stoppage time, Tierney fired a powerful shot past Kasper Schmeichel. Then, with the Danish goalkeeper pushed up for a late attack, McLean launched a long-range strike from his own half to seal a 4–2 win, sparking wild celebrations.
The win meant Scotland finished top of Group C, securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Steve Clarke, who already led the team to successive European Championships. “Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen, and it might not have been the best goal of the night!”
Captain Andy Robertson dedicated the emotional win to his former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who died earlier this year in a car accident. Robertson stated that he could not stop thinking about Jota during the match, recalling their conversations about reaching the World Cup, Jota missing Qatar due to injury, and Robertson missing out when Scotland failed to qualify.
Scotland now joins England among the nations already qualified for the tournament, while Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland head into the play-offs. The play-off draw will take place on November 20, while the World Cup draw will be held on December 5 in Washington.
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