In a finish that will go down in Scottish football folklore, the national team scored two incredible stoppage-time goals to defeat 10-man Denmark 4-2, securing their first World Cup qualification since 1998.
The electric atmosphere at Hampden Park erupted in the 93rd minute when Kieran Tierney smashed a powerful shot from distance to break the 2-2 deadlock. Before the celebrating fans had even settled, Kenny McLean spotted Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel off his line and launched a sensational shot from the halfway line to seal a historic victory.
The match had began in dream fashion for Steve Clarke’s side, with Scott McTominay scoring a spectacular overhead kick after just three minutes. Denmark, who only needed a draw to win the group, dominated possession and eventually found a equalizer from the penalty spot through Rasmus Hojlund after a lengthy VAR review.
The game then turned when Danish defender Rasmus Kristensen was shown a second yellow card, reducing his team to 10 men. Scotland thought they had won it when Lawrence Shankland turned in a corner with 12 minutes remaining, but Denmark immediately hit back through Patrick Dorgu’s calm finish to make it 2-2.
But Scotland weren’t finished. The dramatic late double from Tierney and McLean sends Scotland to the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States as Group C winners, while Denmark are left to face the uncertainty of the play-offs. For the Scottish fans, it was a night of pure, unadulterated joy and a long-awaited return to the world’s biggest stage.