SCOTLAND SECURE SPOT IN MEN’S WORLD CUP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1998

Scotland has qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time since 1998 after a thrilling 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park.

Scott McTominay’s stunning third-minute bicycle kick put Scotland in the lead, before Rasmus Hojlund equalised for the Danes in the 57th minute.

Lawrence Shankland restored the hosts’ lead in the 78th, and Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean solidified the Tartan Army’s victory with two goals during stoppage time.

The win led Scotland to the top of Group C, securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson dedicated the victory to his former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who died during a car accident in July.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “We certainly put the country through it, but I’m sure it will be worth it.

“I knew the age I’m at this would be my last chance to get to the World Cup.

“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup. When he missed out in Qatar through injury and I missed out when Scotland never went.

“We always discussed what it would be like going to this World Cup. I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight.”

Lawrence Shankland told BBC Scotland: “It’s a special feeling. The national anthem gave me goosebumps, even on the bench.

“It was just about finding a way and thankfully, one way or another, we did it.

He added that the victory “probably won’t sink in for a while”.

Steve Clarke, the team’s manager, said McTominay’s bicycle kick was the best he had “ever seen and it might not have been the best goal of the night!”

Reflecting on the thriller, he said: “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.”

Clarke said Scotland had “been on a journey”, adding that he spoke to the team before the match to highlight that “this is the opportunity we’ve waited for”.

“This was the chance,” he said. “One game. This was like a play-off final. We put everything on the line.

“There’s always one last step, and it’s always the hardest. To put their mind at ease, make them comfortable, make them know they could handle the occasion.

“Some moments in the game went in our favour. We went 2-1 up against 10 men, but conceded and we thought: ‘What are we doing?’

“But that’s the Scotland way.”

The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington on 5 December.

Scotland last qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France under manager Craig Brown.

During the tournament, Scotland lost to Brazil and Morocco but managed to secure a draw against Norway. They exited in the tournament group stage.

2025-11-18T23:15:33Z