Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund has sparked a varied response following his comments after his team’s 4-2 loss to Scotland in World Cup qualifying at Hampden Park, Glasgow.
The match marked a significant triumph for Scotland, who secured their first World Cup finals berth since 1998 in front of nearly 50,000 ecstatic fans. The atmosphere was electric as Scott McTominay opened the scoring with an acrobatic overhead kick just three minutes into the game, leaving Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with no chance.
Scotland looked poised to clinch their World Cup spot with that early lead. Yet, true to form, the Tartan Army braced for a tense contest, a narrative they’ve come to know all too well.
After a defensive slip, Hojlund, the Napoli forward on loan from Manchester United, equalized with a well-taken penalty in the 57th minute. Moments later, however, Denmark’s Rasmus Kristensen received a second yellow card, leaving the team with ten men and sullying their hopes.
With just over half an hour remaining, the match hung precariously in the balance. It was then that Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland would break the deadlock for Scotland, netting his fourth goal for the national team with just 12 minutes left on the clock.
But Denmark wasn’t done yet. In a dramatic turn, Patrick Dorgu, the United left-back, answered back in the 81st minute to level the score at 2-2.
As the tension mounted, it seemed Scotland might have to contend with the dreaded play-offs come March. Yet, in a moment that will be etched in the annals of Scottish football, former Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney unleashed a spectacular long-range effort that sailed past Schmeichel in the dying moments, sending Hampden Park into raptures.
That was not the end of the drama. Norwich City’s Kenny McLean added the finishing touch, scoring from his own half in the 98th minute and sealing a historic victory for Scotland.
As a result, Denmark now finds itself facing the uncertainty of the play-offs, scheduled for March, where they will be grouped alongside the likes of Italy, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Despite the heartache of defeat, Hojlund showed commendable sportsmanship by congratulating McTominay on social media. “Congrats, mate. Well done,” he wrote on the Scot’s Instagram post shortly after the match.
This gesture, however, received a mixed reception from fans. Some praised his sportsmanship, arguing that acknowledging a rival’s success is part of the game. One fan stated, “I don’t see anything wrong in congratulating a colleague. It was a close fight, but Scotland won in the end, so congratulations to them.”
Yet, others were less forgiving. Comments ranged from disbelief at Hojlund’s timing in congratulating an opponent just after a devastating loss to assertions that most players’ egos would prevent them from engaging on social media immediately after such a setback.
Ultimately, a comment from another supporter encapsulated the divisive sentiment: “Isn’t that just sportsmanship?”
It’s worth noting that Hojlund and McTominay have shared the field as teammates on two occasions, representing both Manchester United and the current Serie A champions, Napoli.
