Denmark needed only a draw for automatic qualification. Now they have to fight for a spot through the playoffs.
Published on 19 November 2025
Scotland have qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 after a thrilling match against Denmark in which the Scottish team secured a memorable 4–2 victory, with most of the action occurring in the final minutes.
Anticipation was heavy in the night air long before kick-off on Tuesday in Glasgow as the date of Scotland’s destiny came into view.
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Despite qualifying for the last two European Championships, World Cup qualification has proved out of Scotland’s reach since France 1998.
Yet the Scottish team defeated a 10-man Danish team 4–2 in a winner-take-all match in Group C, with Scott McTominay scoring with a bicycle kick just three minutes into the match, causing Scotland supporters at Hampden Park to erupt in joy.
The Scottish fans’ initial joy was cut short when Denmark’s Rasmus Hjolund equalized the score.
After this, Scotland’s Lawrence Shankland put the home team ahead again, but Patrick Dorgu equalized in the 82nd minute.
A draw in the game would have given Denmark victory in the group, and the Danes were in a good position to achieve that result, before Kieran Tierney put the Scottish side ahead again three minutes into extra time.
Kenny McLean then sealed Scotland’s World Cup qualification eight minutes into stoppage time when he fired a shot past Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line.
“You won’t believe this,” said a match commentator when Scotland scored their fourth goal, sending the fans into confusion and ensuring that the game would become part of the legendary folklore of Scottish football.
Scotland coach Steve Clarke said after the game, “We’ve been on a journey. I spoke to them before the match that this is the opportunity we’ve waited for.”
“It was the opportunity, the one game. It was like the playoff final. We put everything on the line. There’s always one last step, and that’s always the hardest,” he said.
Denmark, who had Rasmus Christensen sent off in the 62nd minute, finished second in the group, two points behind Scotland.
Denmark appeared to be the superior team for most of the game. But after an already roller-coaster World Cup qualifying campaign for the Scots, which also included a 3-2 defeat in Greece on Saturday, the biggest twist was saved until the very end as two goals in stoppage time sparked the loudest party the city of Glasgow has seen for years.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson said, “That’s the essence of this team – never say die. We keep going right to the end in one of the craziest games ever played.”
“We put the country through this, but I’m sure it’s worth it. We’re going to the World Cup,” he said.
Denmark, who needed only to avoid defeat to book a place in a third consecutive World Cup finals, were left disappointed. They will now join the 11 other teams that finished second in their group in the playoff competition. Only four of these 12 teams will qualify for the World Cup.