Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean struck two stoppage-time objectives as Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 to clinch high spot in Group C and qualify for the World Cup for the primary time since 1998.
The end result ended a 27-year look forward to Scotland to return to the event, securing automated qualification with their most important victory of a era.
McLean’s beautiful objective from the midway line within the 99th minute began the celebrations, the midfielder lifting a exact end over Kasper Schmeichel as Denmark pushed our bodies ahead and chased a 3rd equaliser.
It adopted Tierney’s pinpoint strike within the 93rd minute on an evening outlined by beautiful objectives and fixed swings in momentum.
The match started with Scott McTominay’s outrageous overhead kick, earlier than Denmark levelled by Rasmus Hojlund and Lawrence Shankland restored the benefit.
Patrick Dorgu equalised once more, just for Tierney and McLean to settle it late as Hampden erupted.
The Tartan Military shall be making their first look at a World Cup for 27 years come subsequent June
Kenny McLean’s surprise strike from the midway line sealed Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup
Steve Clarke’s males got here into the match needing to win to leapfrog Denmark on the high of Group C
The win sealed Scotland’s return to the World Cup for the primary time since France 98 and continues the progress seen below Clarke, who has already led his aspect to back-to-back European Championships.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who conceded the penalty that led to Denmark’s first equaliser, described the event as one of many ‘craziest’ he has been concerned in.
‘We’re going to the World Cup, I am unable to consider it,’ he informed the BBC. ‘This could possibly be the final likelihood I’ve of attending to the World Cup.
‘We have spoken a lot about it, what it will be like and I simply could not get it out of my head all day.
‘I am unable to wait to get again to Liverpool and share a pink wine along with your dad!
‘It is superb. The supervisor’s speech earlier than the sport was unbelievable. He went by the large moments down the years, like Serbia and Ukraine.
‘Then he stated, let’s make it one other one. The lads have been fairly emotional. To do it for him, the employees and our households…one of many best nights of my life.’
Scotland entered the ultimate Group C fixture realizing solely a win would safe qualification, having been handed an surprising lifeline on the weekend.
Scott McTominay opened the scoring with an unbelievable acrobatic effort dispatched into the underside nook
McTominay’s Napoli team-mate Rasmus Hojlund levelled issues up for the guests from the spot after the break
Coronary heart captain Lawrence Shakland thought he had sealed Scotland’s qualification when he touched residence from shut vary within the 78th minute
Their 3-2 defeat to Greece in Piraeus appeared to finish their hopes, however Belarus’s shock attract Copenhagen stored the group alive and shifted every thing to Hampden.
McTominay opened the scoring after three minutes with a spectacular overhead kick from Ben Gannon-Doak’s cross, earlier than the winger was compelled off injured in tears simply after the 20-minute mark.
Denmark levelled early within the second half when Hojlund transformed from the spot after Robertson conceded a penalty.
The guests have been then lowered to 10 males on 61 minutes when Rasmus Kristensen acquired a gentle second yellow card for a foul on John McGinn, a call that left Denmark angered and shifted momentum again in direction of the hosts.
Scotland would have been forgiven for considering it was mission achieved when substitute Shankland restored the lead within the 78th minute, delivering Lewis Ferguson’s nook.
However simply 4 minutes later, United defender Dorgu grabbed the Dane’s second equaliser with a relaxed end into the close to nook of Craig Gordon.
Nevertheless, within the 93rd minute, Kierney added his entry to the night’s unofficial ‘objective of the evening contest’, stroking residence the ball from the sting of the realm.
Minutes later, McLean settled it with a surprising effort from the midway line as Denmark pushed ahead.
However Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu shortly restored parity with a neat end to the close to nook
Kieran Tierney’s splendidly struck end within the 93rd minute proved to be the objective the guests couldn’t get better from
McLean put the icing on the cake with a surprising strike from the midway line to ship Hampden Park wild
Scotland and Aston Villa midfielder McGinn heaped reward on his former St Mirren team-mate McLean after the ultimate whistle and hailed the squad’s achievement.
‘I’ve performed with Kenny for years at St Mirren. To see that ball hit the online, I am unable to even clarify,’ he informed BBC Scotland. ‘I believed we have been fairly garbage to be sincere, however who cares?
‘To recover from the road was such an incredible feeling. The gaffer’s staff discuss was distinctive. It is a privilege each time we meet up. It is simply humble guys desirous to do effectively for his or her nation. We left every thing on the market.
‘I believed I might blocked Dorgu’s shot. You assume that is it, wonderful failure, one other blow. I used to be excited about the play-offs 91st minute.
‘What successful from KT, I’ll by no means really feel like that in a soccer stadium ever once more.’
Scotland’s gamers and supporters will now flip their consideration to the World Cup draw, which takes place on Friday, 5 December on the Kennedy Heart in Washington DC at 5pm.
The event, staged throughout the US, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July, would be the greatest in historical past with 48 groups concerned.
Clarke’s aspect shall be positioned in Pot Three, that means they could possibly be drawn in opposition to a few of the event’s elite, together with Argentina, Spain, England or France.
