Scotland 4-2 Denmark: Scots book World Cup place after injury time winner
Scotland 4 – 2 Denmark McTominay (3′) Shankland (78′) Tierney (90+3′) McLean (90+8′) Højlund (57′ pen) Dorgu (81′) Scotland secured their first World Cup appearance since 1998, after a dramatic six-goal thriller at a raucous Hampden Park. The home side took the lead in the opening minutes thanks to a moment of individual brilliance. Ben Gannon-Doak’s left-footed cross was met by Scott McTominay, who delivered a towering overhead kick past the helpless Kasper Schmeichel. Simply, it was the dream start for Steve Clarke’s men, who were showing an intensity that was missing in Greece three nights before. Despite the remarkable start, the visitors grew into the half. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg blazed over, and Rasmus Højlund’s teasing delivery had no takers in the opening 15 minutes. Scotland were dealt a blow in the 20th minute with Gannon-Doak stretchered off, bringing a hush over Hampden. Højlund netted moments later, but play was brought back as the Napoli striker handled Aaron Hickey in the build-up. A Danish corner was almost flicked into his own net by Andy Robertson in the 27th minute as caution continued for the hosts. Patrick Dorgu then delivered a teasing cross for Højlund, who headed over from cross range. Scotland invited continuous pressure from the Danes and looked content with defending the slender lead. Højbjerg’s 20-yard strike whistled past Craig Gordon’s post as the halftime whistle approached. Denmark dominated possession in the opening minutes of the second period. Højlund found a half yard in the Scotland box, firing a low shot which Gordon smartly tipped round the post. Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot in the 57th minute after Robertson tripped Gustav Isaksen on the corner of the box. Højlund dispatched high past Gordon to wrestle control back for the visitors. The penalty was subject to a lengthy VAR check, but warranted the visitors’ dominant spell. A huge turning point occurred after the hour mark. John McGinn spun Rasmus Kristensen, who looked to have hauled the Scottish midfielder to the floor. Marciniak gave Kristensen his second yellow, but upon replay, the decision was very harsh on the Frankfurt defender. The visitors looked composed despite being down to ten men. Clarke turned to Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland for the winning goal, but Denmark continued to look dangerous. Isaksen’s shot from the right-hand side of the Scottish box whistled past Gordon’s goal as they searched for the killer blow. Scotland scored a second goal in the 78th minute through the substitute Shankland. A teasing Lewis Ferguson corner dropped for the Hearts captain, who turned home from close range, sparking delight in the home sections. Denmark responded with a haymaker on their next attack. The home side were unable to clear their lines from a crossed ball, the ball dropped to Dorgu, who showed composure to slide past the rooted Gordon. The homeside threw men forward in search of the winning goal. Robertson’s cross bypassed the entire Danish defence, allowing McGinn to curl a left-footed shot inches wide of Schmeichel’s top corner. Kieran Tierney sent Scotland to the World Cup in the 93rd minute. The ball broke to the Celtic defender on the edge of the box, who curled a left-footed strike into the corner from 25 yards. McLean sealed the game deep into injury time. Denmark’s final attack broke down, and the Norwich midfielder lobbed the stranded Schmeichel from the halfway line. The full-time scenes were chaotic and emotional. A game that looked set to end in heartbreak had turned into a famous night that will be remembered for years to come. Scotland have automatically qualified for the World Cup 2026. Scotland: Gordon 7 Hickey 6 Hanley 8 McKenna 8 Robertson 7 McGinn 7 Ferguson 6 McTominay 7 Christie 7 Gannon-Doak 7 Dykes 6 Substitutes: McLean 10 Shankland 6 Adams 6 Tierney 10 Denmark: Schmeichel 7 Kristensen 7 Andersen 7 Christensen 7 Dorgu 6 Isaksen 6 Hjulmand 6 Froholdt 6 Hojbjerg 6 Damsgaard 6 Hojlund 7 Substitutes: Vestergaard 6 Nørgaard 5 Biereth 5
Ex-Rangers Manager Accepts Norwich City Job
Former Rangers boss Philippe Clement has been appointed as the new Norwich City manager. He pens a deal until 2029, and will be joined by Stephan Van Der Heyden, who was his right hand man in Glasgow as well. Former Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson was ruled out of the running yesterday and fellow sacked Rangers boss Russell Martin, who spent the majority of his playing career at Carrow Road, had also been linked with taking the job. “I’m really excited by this story and opportunity. I’ve known this club for a long time and, whilst we are not in a good moment at this time, we are excited to work together with the players and staff to turn things around.” Clement told Norwich’s official website. “Meeting with the owners and hearing some of their ambitions for the club, it really convinced me that this is the best move. They have big plans for the future, but of course, our job in the short term is to turn around the current situation and get everyone believing again. “I also see the potential in the club and the group of players, and feel totally ready for the challenge ahead.” Clement has yet to return to management since he was dismissed at Ibrox, in a tenure which seen him win the Premier Sports Cup just months into the job, but failed to back this up with further silverware. He spent time as a player in England with Coventry City in the Premier League, but embarks on his first management role in English football. His Rangers side only lost 16 of the 86 games during his spell in Glasgow’s Southside, but was unable to survive being so far behind Celtic and a poor run of form before his departure, which included a catastrophic 1-0 defeat at home to Queen’s Park. The Belgian won league titles in his homeland with Genk and Club Brugge, and has also worked in Ligue 1 with AS Monaco. The 51 year-old has emerged as a shock candidate and would be replacing Liam Manning who was sacked after 17 games in charge. Norwich have failed to pick up any points at home this season so far, and find themselves second from bottom in the Championship, four points from safety. Clement’s first match in charge will be away to Birmingham City, where he may come up against an old foe in Kyogo Furuhashi.
