Kieran Tierney sent the Scottish fans into a frenzy with a dramatic goal deep into stoppage time, sealing a pulsating 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park in Glasgow. The rain-soaked pitch was buzzing, as Scotland turned the narrative of underdog into a triumphant tale in the final minutes of the match.
The contest began with Scotland trailing their visitors in the standings but it didn’t take long for them to assert their presence. Just four minutes in, former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay found the net, igniting the hopes of the Tartan Army.
However, the Danish response came after halftime through Napoli’s Rasmus Hojlund, leveling the score. The dynamics shifted dramatically just five minutes later when Denmark’s Rasmus Kristensen received a red card, leaving his team with ten men for the final stretch of the match.
Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland put Scotland back in the mix for a potential World Cup berth. Yet, Denmark’s Patrick Dorgu, representing Manchester United, threw a twist into the tale with a goal in the 82nd minute, seemingly putting his side back on top in the live table.
But the Scottish spirit is undeniable. In a thrilling finale, Tierney struck first in the third minute of added time, sending Hampden Park into delirium. The drama didn’t stop there: nine minutes into stoppage time, former Rangers academy player Kenny McLean added another goal, solidifying a remarkable comeback.
Scotland Qualifies for their First World Cup since 1998
For captain Andy Robertson, the dream of playing in a World Cup is finally within reach, but he isn’t alone in this long wait. Midfielder John McGinn shares the excitement, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon—who earned his first cap back in 2004—will be 43 by the time the tournament kicks off.
Despite qualifying for eight World Cups in the past, Scotland has yet to advance beyond the group stage. Their last appearance in 1998 saw them struggle; they opened with a narrow 2-1 loss to Brazil, managed a draw against Norway, and ended their campaign by suffering a 3-0 defeat to Morocco, finishing at the bottom of Group A.
The victory serves as a testament to head coach Steve Clarke, a former Chelsea stalwart who has been at the helm since 2019. His leadership has finally borne fruit, leading Scotland back into the fold of international football’s grandest stage.
