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
