Scott McTominay lit up Hampden Park with an outrageous overhead kick to provide Scotland an important early lead in opposition to Denmark of their World Cup qualifier.
The Napoli midfielder, previously of Manchester United, struck after simply three minutes, acrobatically assembly a lofted cross and sending a spectacular end previous Kasper Schmeichel because the stadium erupted.
Steve Clarke’s aspect went into the ultimate Group C fixture needing a win to qualify routinely for the 2026 World Cup, having been handed an sudden lifeline on the weekend regardless of dropping 3-2 to Greece after falling 3-0 behind in Piraeus.
That defeat appeared deadly till Belarus surprised Denmark with some extent in Copenhagen, protecting the group alive and dragging the qualification battle to Glasgow, the place Scotland know solely victory could be sufficient to complete prime.
Denmark, led by McTominay’s membership team-mate Rasmus Hojlund, want only a level to e-book their place for the North American finals.
Hampden had been febrile from kick-off, with the Tartan Military sensing a chance hardly ever introduced in current campaigns and Scotland responded with a blistering opening spell.
Scott McTominay lit up Hampden Park with an outrageous overhead kick to provide Scotland an important early lead in opposition to Denmark
The Napoli midfielder, previously of Manchester United , struck after simply three minutes, acrobatically assembly a lofted cross
McTominay’s strike got here from considered one of them, the midfielder adjusting fantastically because the ball dropped inside the realm earlier than throwing himself backwards and remarkably guiding his end into the underside nook.
The purpose drew instant response from followers on social media, with a notable remark coming from four-time Grand Slam winner Sir Andy Murray.
‘What on earth was that,’ he wrote on X, adopted by 4 smiling face with heart-eyes. ‘McTominay you wee dancer!’
The 28-year-old’s strike, his thirteenth worldwide purpose and second of this qualification marketing campaign, underlined the extent he has reached since leaving United in 2024.
McTominay gained Serie A’s MVP award final season as Napoli claimed the title, and he has rapidly develop into a fan favorite in Naples for his timing, work fee and targets from midfield.
Sadly for Clarke’s males, their early momentum was dented when Ben Doak was compelled off after 22 minutes following a brilliant begin wherein he had created the opener.
The Bournemouth winger, who had been electrical within the early exchanges, went down clutching his proper hamstring and instantly signalled he couldn’t proceed.
A stretcher was known as as teammates gathered round him, and the 20-year-old appeared in tears as he was carried from the pitch. Kenny McLean got here on in his place as Scotland reshuffled their midfield.
The 28-year-old rose excessive above the Danish defence and managed to direct his end past Schmeichel, regardless of making contact on the penalty spot
Sir Andy Murray was among the many Scotland followers to react to the sensational strike on social media
Since Steve Clarke took cost in 2019, Scotland have loved considered one of their most constant intervals in a long time, reaching back-to-back European Championships for the primary time of their historical past and ending a 23-year look ahead to a serious finals by qualifying for Euro 2020.
They then completed second of their qualifying group for Euro 2024, in the end reaching the finals in Germany, and pushed their World Cup ambitions deep into the 2022 marketing campaign earlier than falling within the playoffs.
