Scotland are going to the World Cup!
Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean have been stoppage-time heroes, because the Scots beat 10-player Denmark 4-2 to safe automated qualification.
After back-to-back European Championships, head coach Steve Clarke leads the nation again to soccer’s greatest match for the primary time since 1998.
Scotland knew solely a win would do – Scott McTominay despatched them on their manner with a spectacular bicycle kick after simply three minutes.
Denmark solely wanted a draw to prime the group and Rasmus Hojlund, denied within the first half, levelled from the penalty spot after a prolonged VAR test of Andy Robertson’s foul on Gustav Isaksen.
With the Danes all the way down to 10 males after Rasmus Kristensen’s second reserving, Lawrence Shankland got here off the bench to ship the Scots again in entrance just for Patrick Dorgu to stage once more minutes later.
A nation believed and the dream got here true as first Tierney fired residence from outdoors the field for 3-2 two minutes into added time.
Then because the clock ticked nicely past the preliminary six added minutes, from the midway line, McLean lobbed Kasper Schmeichel, who had strayed out of his space in a last-ditch effort to salvage a draw.
His effort looped over the Denmark goalkeeper and into the empty web for 4-2 to set off scenes of delirium inside Hampden Park.
Scotland are again!
A dream turns into actuality
Sky Sports activities’ Alison Conroy was at Hampden Park:
Steve Clarke made no secret of his need to steer Scotland to a World Cup after lacking out as a participant.
He was the epitome of calmness on the touchline as McTominay’s stunner despatched the Tartan Military into raptures.
Wonderful failure and Scotland usually go hand in hand, however this was a marketing campaign full of grit and need in addition to somewhat little bit of luck.
The unbeaten run led to Greece on Saturday, however Belarus handed the Scots a lifeline by drawing in Copenhagen.
This has been six and a half years within the making and the squad deserve all of the reward coming their manner.
For many of them it will likely be a 3rd main match, however reaching the World Cup is particular.
Overlook the Champions League medals, titles and cups. This can be a totally different stage.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will happen in Washington on December 5.
President Trump will be a part of FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the John F Kennedy Heart – a performing arts venue the place Trump is chairman – to resolve the group stage fixtures.
Saying the draw venue on the White Home in August, Trump mentioned the World Cup was “the biggest event in sports”, whereas Infantino declared the 104 matches could be like “104 Super Bowls”.
The draw will happen from 12pm native time (5pm UK time).
The 2026 FIFA Males’s World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Will probably be the twenty third version of the match.