Scotland qualify for World Cup after dramatic victory over Denmark

Kieran Tierney helped Scotland to a dramatic victory (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Stunning goals by substitutes Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean in added time gave Scotland a momentous 4-2 win over Denmark to book the Scots their place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

Scott McTominay opened proceedings in the third minute with a glorious overhead kick from 12 yards but then Steve Clarke’s side had to withstand intense pressure from the visitors on a night when challenges were aplenty.

Scotland centre-back John Souttar had to come off with an injury picked up in the warm-up and Ben Gannon-Doak was carried off on a stretcher after 21 minutes before Rasmus Hojlund equalised from the spot in the 57th minute to quieten the Tartan Army.

We’ll be coming 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

See you at the 2026 @FIFAWorldCup 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Vg1IrXhJDc

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 18, 2025

His team-mate Rasmus Kristensen was sent packing in the 61st minute for picking up the second of two yellow cards and as the game took yet another twist, substitute Lawrence Shankland restored Scotland’s lead in the 78th minute only for Patrick Dorgu to level three minutes later.

However, in six minutes of added time, Tierney fired in from 25 yards with McLean scoring from the halfway line to top Group C in one of the great nights in Scotland’s history.