Scotland will play on the World Cup for the primary time since 1998 after two late objectives secured a dramatic victory over Denmark at a raucous Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke’s males got here in to the competition realizing a win over the Group C leaders could be sufficient to finish virtually three many years of heartache, and in flip, consign their opponents to a spot within the play-offs.
The hosts received off to a dream begin, with Scott McTominay’s excellent overhead kick inside three minutes sending the house crowd wild. Rasmus Hojlund — McTominay’s team-mate at Napoli — equalised from the spot for the Danes early within the second half, earlier than Rasmus Kristensen was despatched packing after choosing up a second yellow.
Substitute Lawrence Shankland put the Scots again in entrance from shut vary, however the pleasure did not final lengthy, with Patrick Dorgu popping up to attract the guests degree as soon as once more.
However with hope fading, Kieran Tierney curled an exquisite effort past Kasper Schmeichel from vary in stoppage-time, earlier than Kenny McLean netted with a lob to seal a coveted place at subsequent summer time’s showpiece occasion in North America.
Our man Kevin McKenna was available to run the rule over the gamers on a outstanding evening in Mount Florida…
Supervisor Steve Clarke will lead Scotland in to subsequent summer time’s World Cup in North America
John McGinn was a standout whereas Kenny McLean sealed the win with a lob from his personal half
Scott McTominay produced a shocking overhead kick to present the hosts an ideal begin
SCOTLAND (4-5-1)
CRAIG GORDON – 6: Received down low to his proper to disclaim Hojlund early within the second interval. Would have in all probability anticipated a busier night, however was delighted to see the Danes largely lowered to efforts from vary.
AARON HICKEY – 6: Definitely had his palms full up towards the rampaging Dorgu. Was maybe a bit of responsible of standing off his man however caught to the duty nicely. Probabilities to get ahead have been few and much between.
GRANT HANLEY- 6.5: Endured a nightmare in Greece on the weekend, and was initially dropped for this one. Referred to as up late after John Souttar picked up a knock within the warm-up and didn’t let anybody down.
SCOTT MCKENNA – 7: Thrown in and requested to ship below big stress and didn’t put a foot flawed. Cleared his strains when required and received his head on every part launched in his route.
ANDY ROBERTSON – 4: By no means seemed comfy towards Isaksen. May don’t have any complaints over gifting away the penalty after catching the tough winger. Distribution lower than scratch both.
JOHN MCGINN – 8: Led by instance proper from the off. His aggression and need to get Scotland going was an inspiration to his team-mates. Minimize off the passing lanes and all the time tried to drive ahead.
LEWIS FERGUSON – 5.5: Ran himself into the bottom and did his defensive duties nicely, making a number of key interventions to thwart Denmark. Invited stress, nonetheless, with a variety of slack passes.
BEN GANNON-DOAK – 3: Teenager’s night was cruelly lower brief after choosing up an early harm. Had made a terrific begin up towards Dorgu, offering the cross for McTominay’s excellent opener.
Kieran Tierney curled residence from vary in stoppage-time to place Scotland again in entrance
RYAN CHRISTIE – 5.5: Effort couldn’t be faulted, however not on the ball wherever close to sufficient to have any actual affect on proceedings. Requested to do much more defensively than he’s used to with the intention to help to Hickey.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 8: Received’t rating a greater, or extra necessary, aim for the remainder of his profession. It was merely world-class. Scotland’s go-to man for the massive event stepped up as soon as once more.
LYNDON DYKES – 5: Was all the time going to be a troublesome shift up high, and as anticipated, was compelled to feed off scraps. Received his fair proportion of aerial duels and introduced others into play on the uncommon event he dropped deep.
SUBSTITUTES: McLean (Gannon-Doak, 21), Shankland (Christie, 64), Adams (Dykes, 64), Tierney (Hickey, 72).
STEVE CLARKE – 8: Received his subs completely spot on as he threw every part at it. Has taken Scotland to their first World Cup in virtually 30 years. An astonishing achievement.
DENMARK (4-2-3-1)
KASPER SCHMEICHEL – 5: May do nothing to forestall McTominay’s beautiful opener, or Tierney’s late strike to place the Scots forward. Wasn’t sturdy sufficient to take care of Shankland for the second and in no-man’s land for clincher.
RASMUS KRISTENSEN – 3: Turned by McGinn twice, fouled his man twice, was booked twice. Second was extremely harsh, however he gave the officers a choice to make. Put his team-mates in all kinds of bother.
JOACHIM ANDERSEN – 6: Didn’t seem to relish the bodily battle with Dykes within the early levels however steadily grew into the sport. Keen to hold the ball out from the again and kickstart assaults.
Rasmus Kristensen’s second-half sending off proved to be pricey for the Danish aspect
ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN – 7: A commanding presence inside his personal space. The Barcelona defender by no means seemed flustered, and was assured in possession, usually working as an additional midfielder.
PATRICK DORGU – 7: Was essentially the most relieved man in Hampden when Gannon-Doak was withdrawn from proceedings. Barely requested to defend and spent a lot of the contest bombing up the left-hand aspect. Took his aim nicely.
MORTEN HJULMAND – 7: A cultured operator in the course of the park. Saved issues neat and tidy, permitting a few of his extra inventive team-mates to get on the Scotland defence. One other one prepared to have a pop from distance.
PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG – 6.5: The captain barely broke sweat. Given a great deal of room to unfold the play and dicate issues, and didn’t panic at any stage. Did a lot of the unseen work off the ball.
GUSTAV ISAKSEN – 7.5: Far and away the guests’ most harmful participant. Gave Robertson a torrid time on the fitting. Flashed a roller simply extensive of goal in second half, and performed an element in Dorgu’s equaliser.
VICTOR FROHOLDT – 6: Ought to have performed a lot better with a few opportunites inside 25 yards, however composure was badly missing. Consistently picked up pockets of house behind Hojlund.
MIKKEL DAMSGAARD – 5.5: Popped up all over the place throughout the entrance line, linking nicely with Hojlund. So harmful from vary and very happy to attempt his luck, however couldn’t get something on track.
RASMUS HOJLAND – 6.5: Wasn’t finest happy with the ref’s determination to cut off a first-half aim for shove on Hickey on the again publish. At all times carried a risk and coolly dispatched his penalty.
Rasmus Hojland silenced Hampden shortly after the interval with a well-taken penalty
SUBSTITUTES: Vestergaard (Damsgaard, 64), Norgaard (Hojlund, 84), Biereth (Isaksen, 90).
BRIAN RIEMER – 4: May be happy with his gamers for placing in a dominant show in a hostile environment. The harm was performed towards Belarus on Saturday.
REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (POL) 6
ATTENDANCE: 49,587.
