Scotland's historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup was met with jubilation, but for captain Andy Robertson, the victory carried a poignant emotional weight. In the aftermath of Scotland's dramatic 4-2 win against Denmark, Robertson paid a tearful tribute to his former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash in Spain in July 2025.
Robertson revealed that Jota was on his mind throughout the day, stating, "I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today". He shared that the two players often discussed the World Cup, a dream they both longed to achieve. Jota had missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to injury, and Robertson had been absent from the tournament because Scotland had not qualified since 1998.
"We spoke so much together about the World Cup," Robertson said. "He missed out on Qatar because of injury, and I missed out because Scotland weren't in it". The Scotland captain added, "We'd always discuss what it would be like going to this World Cup. I know he'll be somewhere smiling over me tonight".
The emotional toll of the day was evident as Robertson admitted, "I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits". He confessed to struggling in his room before the match, overwhelmed by the thought that this could be his last chance to play in a World Cup. Despite the internal turmoil, Robertson managed to lead his team to a memorable victory.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Scotland twice taking the lead through Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland, only for Denmark to equalize on both occasions. A red card for Rasmus Kristensen gave Scotland an advantage, but the game remained tense until the final moments. Late goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean sealed the victory, sending Hampden Park into ecstasy and securing Scotland's place in the 2026 World Cup. McLean's goal was a remarkable strike from the halfway line after the Danish goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, had gone upfield for a set piece.
Robertson lauded his team's resilience, saying, "That just sums up this squad. Never say die, we just keep going right to the end". He described the match as "one of the craziest games of football" and acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster the team had put the country through. "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," he exclaimed.
Robertson also praised the team spirit and the manager's pre-match speech, which highlighted the team's significant moments and inspired them to create another one. "This group of boys and staff, it's the best group I've ever been involved in," Robertson stated.
The tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier this year deeply affected the footballing world. The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on July 3rd. According to reports, their car, a Lamborghini, suffered a tire blowout, causing it to veer off the road and catch fire. Jota's promising career was cut short, leaving behind a wife and three young children. Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed in September that the club had paid the remaining two years of Jota's contract to his family.
