A jubilant Scotland has secured its place at the 2026 World Cup, sparking scenes of wild celebration at Hampden Park after a nail-biting 4-2 victory against Denmark. The win marks the first time since 1998 that the Tartan Army will be represented at the world's biggest football tournament, ending 27 years of heartbreak for fans.
The atmosphere in Glasgow was electric as Scotland and Denmark faced off in a decisive Group C qualifier. Both teams needed a win to secure automatic qualification, setting the stage for a dramatic encounter. Scotland began their campaign with a goalless draw against Denmark. In their second game, they defeated Belarus 2-0, followed by an emphatic 3-1 win over Greece. A win against Belarus followed soon after that.
The match started brightly for Scotland, with Scott McTominay scoring an incredible overhead kick in the 3rd minute to give the home side an early lead. However, the early elation was tempered when Ben Doak, who assisted McTominay, was forced off with a muscle injury. Denmark responded, with Rasmus Hojlund equalizing from the penalty spot to make it 1-1.
The game swung in Scotland's favor in the 61st minute when Rasmus Kristensen received a second yellow card, reducing Denmark to 10 men. Scotland capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Lawrence Shankland restoring their lead. But the resilient Danes hit back once again, as Patrick Dorgu leveled the score, leaving the Scottish fans on edge.
As the match headed into added time, Kieran Tierney scored a superb goal in the 93rd minute, sending Hampden Park into raptures. With Denmark pushing for another equalizer, Kenny McLean sealed the victory with a stunning long-range effort from the halfway line, chipping the ball over the retreating Kasper Schmeichel. The final whistle sparked joyous scenes as players and fans celebrated Scotland's qualification.
Scotland's qualification journey saw them navigate a challenging Group C, where they faced tough competition from Greece, Belarus and Denmark. A previous defeat to Greece made the match against Denmark a must-win. Ultimately, Steve Clarke's side rose to the occasion, securing the victory needed to top the group and avoid the play-offs.
The result means Scotland will now participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This will be a welcome return to the world stage for Scotland, whose fans have waited patiently for almost three decades to see their team compete at the highest level.
