It was pure bedlam as Scotland qualify for first World Cup in 28 years with two stoppage-time goals against Denmark on Tuesday.
A dramatic 4-2 comeback victory sent the majority of those inside Hampden Park absolutely wild, overturning two equalisers before Kieran Tierney’s long-range strike and Kenny McLean’s audacious goal from inside his own half sealed a win to remember and direct passage to the 2026 finals.
Scott McTominay had opened with a stunning overhead kick, with Rasmus Hojlund levelling from a controversial penalty, Rasmus Kristensen’s red card then gave Scotland some hope, with the home crowd roaring them on.
Lawrence Shankland restored the lead, with Patrick Dorgu instantly equalising again to make it 2-2, but then came Tierney’s screamer on 93 minutes to put Scotland ahead, with McLean’s halfway line goal on 98 minutes sealing the win.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson said to BBC Scotland: “That just sums up this squad. Never say die. We just keep going right to the end and one of the craziest games.
“We put the country through it, but I’m sure it’s worth it. We’re going to the World Cup.
“I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits. I know the age I’m at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup.
“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about going to the World Cup. I know he’ll be smiling over me today. I’m so glad it’s ended up this way.
“This group of boys, this group of staff – it’s the best group I’ve been involved in.
“The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He went through the big moments we’ve had. Qualifying for the Euros – he couldn’t quite remember – we were in Wunderbar. He said ‘let’s make it another one’.
“We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it’ll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.”
“I know he was smiling down tonight, hopefully he’ll have a smile in the summer when I’m representing my country at the World Cup”
Scotland captain Andy Robertson remembers Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota tonight ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NT4s884pHS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 18, 2025
“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out my head today. He missed out in Qatar because of injury. I missed out because Scotland never went. We always discussed what it would be like going to this World Cup. I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight.”
– Andy Robertson pic.twitter.com/MC1GrYf2yI
— Sean Gillen (@SeanGillen9) November 18, 2025
Sit back and enjoy Steven Thompson and James McFadden going absolutely wild on commentary 😅🎉#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/oOC5NoxVUY
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 18, 2025
Scotland midfielder John McGinn tells BBC Scotland: “I’ve played with Kenny for years at St Mirren. To see that ball hit the net, I can’t even explain.
“I thought we were pretty rubbish to be honest, but who cares?
“To get over the line was such an amazing feeling. The gaffer’s team talk was exceptional. It’s a privilege every time we meet up. It’s just humble guys wanting to do well for their country. We left everything out there.
“I thought I’d blocked Dorgu’s shot. You think that’s it – glorious failure, another blow. I was thinking about the play-offs 91st minute.
“What a hit from KT – I will never feel like that in a football stadium ever again.”
Lawrence Shankland tells BBC Scotland: “It’s a special feeling. The national anthem gave me goosebumps, even on the bench. It was just about finding a way and thankfully, one way or another, we did it.
“I’ve been in the stands cheering teams on over the years and we’ve not been able to achieve it. It probably won’t sink in for a while.”
Wow!!! 🏴🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/KOGM4Q90Ol
— Colin McCredie (@colinmccredie) November 18, 2025
That was emotional pic.twitter.com/e0cOaI146D
— ROPoem (@R0Poem) November 18, 2025
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke tells BBC Scotland: “Really simple – what a fantastic group of players. Unbelievable.
“I’ve said it from the very start of my time. It took me a year, maybe 18 months, to work out the best way to go forward. If I give myself a bit of credit, I chose the right way.
“We chose more caps, more experience. When you come to a night like this, when you’re behind and struggling, and not sure it’s going to happen, I trust my players.
“I’ve told them so many times, I trust them implicitly.
“I woke up this morning, and as a manager you normally wake up with that tight feeling in your stomach. I didn’t have it this morning, and I thought ‘wow, that’s strange.
“I thought there was something wrong with me! But it’s because I trust my players so much.
“We’ve been on a journey. I spoke to them about it pre-match, about how this is the opportunity we’ve waited for. What a night, eh?
“We’ve been close to the World Cup before. When you look back at the Ukraine game, we probably froze on the day. We didn’t play with that freedom.
“We qualified for the Euros, got to a play-off, qualified for a Euros. This was the chance. One game. This was like a play-off final. We put everything on the line.
“There’s always one last step, and it’s always the hardest. To put their mind at ease, make them comfortable, make them know they could handle the occasion.
“Some moments in the game went in our favour. We went 2-1 up against 10 men, but conceded and we thought ‘what are we doing?’
“But that’s the Scotland way.”
🗣️ “The last few years, I’ve been through a lot… Moments like that make it all worth it”
Kieran Tierney on his 93rd minute wonder strike which helped secure Scotland qualification for the 2026 World Cup 🏴 pic.twitter.com/HW3OgPJtP3
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 18, 2025
Steve Clarke on the goals: “Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen and it might not have been the best goal of the night!
“It was a lot of emotions. High and low. At times, you’re looking for solutions and thinking how to change it. I knew at some stage we’d have to go two up front.
“I felt the Danes were dominating us a little. It seemed like a good time [to make the changes]. Whether they were 10 or 11 [men], we were going to do that.
“I spoke to Kieran [Tierney] before the first game. He’s a key player for me, one of my men. I’ve got loads of them. 14 were involved in the play-off game.
“I said ‘listen, Aaron Hickey can’t do back-to-back games, I can see you coming on at right-back and doing very well for us’.
“I’m not sure I envisioned the goal… but when it was rolling back to him on his left foot, I knew he would score.
“When [Kenny] hit it, I thought ‘what are you doing?!’ but when I saw it in flight, I thought ‘that’s going to go in!’”
SOUND ON 🎧
This radio commentary from Alasdair Lamont!!! 🏴#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/tRFtHXp7H2
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 18, 2025
BBC RADIO SCOTLAND LIMBS😍😍😍
“KENNY MCCLEAN, HE’S GOING FOR GOAL… OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo”😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/EtDYzpBjHb
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) November 18, 2025
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon: “what a crazy night. The quality of some of those goals, I don’t think we’ll see in another 20 year.
“I’ve been playing for 21 years with the national team. To go through all that and end with a night like that, incredible.
“They are a very good team, but to score four goals like that and to reach a World Cup with a goal from our own half in the last minute, you would never imagine that.
“The group have been very calm through the week. We just needed one chance and we ended up with two unbelievable goals in the dying stages – it probably needed something like that to break our duck and get to a World Cup.
“It’s emotional to think about. It’s been an awful long time coming. Incredible to be a part of it and it will take a while to sink it. I nearly retired in the summer and Steve Clarke was the one who told me to give it one more year.
“That is worth everything. All the hard work, all the disappointments.”
‘What a night, eh?’
Steve Clarke on Scotland’s journey to World Cup qualification ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/rGKZS3K6qT
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 19, 2025
🗣️ “I’ve felt the pressure of the nation to try and get to a World Cup… This is the best feeling”
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke reacts to their dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark, which sees them qualify for their edition of the tournament since 1998 🏴 pic.twitter.com/cVxh0F9jyJ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 18, 2025
Twitter users gave their reaction to pure bedlam as Scotland qualify for their first World Cup in 28 years with two stoppage-time goals…
@fooballcymru: What a crazy time to tune into the game after the Wales game, congrats lads, hopefully see you in the Americas 🏴🏴
@steviemorrison1: Not good for my blood pressure but absolutely incredible way to make the World Cup! Well done all 👏🏼👏🏼
@MusicOwlScot: So proud of Scotland never giving in. What a final few minutes! Great to see our Jambo captain score, showing again what Shanks can do. Delighted for Craig too. ❤️🇱🇻We just watched history, we’re off to the World Cup after so long! Slainté Mhath boys, congratulations! 💙🏴⚽️🥃
@PTommo70: Congratulations Scotland!! totally deserved. Your fans will make it a tournament to remember for all the right reasons 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@JonnyCave: Well done to the Jocks, 27 years is far too long for the nation that gave us Dalglish, Souness, Hanson, Gemmill, Baxter et al The fans have been through the ringer, so many near misses,I thought tonight was another on 82 min but fair play. Group Winners how does that sound Scotland
@steviebwoy: Well in Scotland! Delighted for yous! Deserved the win! Fantastic game to watch! See you at the World Cup baybeee!
@mattthrelfall81: Great night for British football 🇬🇧 Scotland join England at the main table 🏴🏴 Wales and Northern Ireland are on stand by 🏴🇯🇪 Even the Republic of Ireland want in 🇮🇪💪
@Josh68648366: Can’t say I was watching the match tonight hoping Scotland would win 😂, but I just wanted to credit you lot on that win, some incredible goals and after each setback you kept your heads high and didn’t give up, fair play, see you in 2026 🏴🤝🏴
@PeterElder74: Well done lads, so unbelievably proud of you all, despite putting us through agonies in typical Scotland style!!
@kayaburgess: That was one of the maddest and most brilliant ends to a game I’ve seen in many a year. I’m not even Scottish and was jumping around punching the air like a lunatic. Glorious stuff.
@LeeJones1996: Unbelievable final minutes, from a Welsh supporter I’m gutted I didn’t watch the whole game!! Also an Arsenal fan so beautiful goal from @kierantierney1 🏴 🏴
@antoneee_x: Scotland. The epitome of a country that relies on sheer emotion to pull off historical moments in football
@kmacraeplockton: McTominay, Shankland, Tierney and McLean! Outrageous entertainment. ❤️
@johnbrab: Well done lads had me off the couch there and I’m not even Scottish!!! Over the moon for Andy Robbo!!!!!!!
‘I thought we were pretty rubbish to be honest but who cares!’ 😂
A classic John McGinn interview 😅🏴#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/6Om2twKwr0
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 18, 2025
The SCENES after that Kenny McLean goal sealed Scotland’s place at the World Cup!!! 🥳#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ZxQZkiHxNO
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 18, 2025
