Scots celebrate reaching first World Cup in nearly 30 years

The Scottish men have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Steve Clarke’s side won 4-2 against Denmark after a thrilling game in which they scored the final goal from the half-way line at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

The national team had to win the match to qualify for the play-offs with a draw or loss in order to participate in the 2026 tournament to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Fans traveled from all over the country to watch the match, with fan buses departing from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and everywhere in between.

Scotland will find out who they will face next summer on Friday, December 5th.

First Minister John Swinney shared: social media: “You did an extraordinarily good job. It was a pleasure to watch such a magnificent, enthusiastic performance.”

Scott McTominay scored the first goal with an overhead bicycle kick just three minutes later, but Denmark fought back to equalise.

Scotland took the lead once again when Lawrence Shankland sent a corner kick into the goal, but Denmark battled back until they leveled the score at 2-2 with 10 minutes left.

In extra time, Kieran Tierney scored for Scotland to secure the World Cup, while Kenny McLean made the score 4-2 from his own half with a few seconds left in the match.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson told BBC Scotland: “It will go down as one of the best nights of my life.”

He added: “We have put the country through this hardship but I am sure it will be worth it. We are going to the World Cup.”

One fan who lost his voice told BBC Scotland: “This means a lot. I was only seven when we went to France.”

He added: “I predicted the second goal and I predicted the third goal, but I didn’t predict the fourth goal. But honestly, it’s absolutely brilliant.”

Another fan leaving Hampden Park said: “Absolutely amazing, the atmosphere was amazing. When it was 2-2 we thought that’s it, we’ll go into the play-offs. But wow, amazing.”

He said he had watched the match with his oldest son, adding: “I’ve been a passionate fan since I was a boy, traveled all over with them and took my oldest last 28 years ago when we last qualified.”

Asked if he would take part in the tournament next year, he said: “I hope so. My daughter is getting married, so maybe I can ask her to put that on hold.”

Another fan added: “I was in France in 1998. I grew up in a time when we always qualified.

“This is for the younger generation. They will go and watch Scotland play in the World Cup.

“The whole country will stand up.”

Glasgow’s Church on the Hill pub is just a stone’s throw from Hampden and a piper welcomed hundreds of revelers before kick-off.

After the match, fans, including Colin McLean and his son Andrew, flocked to the bar.

Colin said: “I think I’ve missed two games in 20 years. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Asked if they would attend the World Cup next year, Andrew said: “It depends on what you get me for Christmas.”

David Alexander and his cousin Fiona Cullie also attended the match.

“People say we got lucky in this campaign,” David said. “But if you think about it, we’ve had good luck for years. It’s time.”

Fiona added: “The stadium was unreal. Something to remember for a lifetime.”

Scotland last qualified for the 1998 World Cup held in France under the management of Craig Brown.

They lost to Brazil and Morocco and drew with Norway in the tournament. They exited the tournament group stage.

What followed was a two-decade major tournament drought for the men’s national team.

They have failed to qualify for six consecutive World Cups and missed five consecutive European Championships.

Under Steve Clarke, they returned to Euro 2020 for the first time in 24 years, but again finished last in their group.

They qualified for Euro 2024 by winning Euros consecutively.

In the current World Cup qualifiers, Scotland drew 0-0 with Denmark, beat Belarus twice and Greece once at Hampden.

They face Greece again at the weekend in a match they feel they must win or draw to maintain their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification.

Scotland lost 3-2 on the night.

But Belarus’ surprise 2-2 draw in Copenhagen meant Steve Clarke’s side still had a chance of finishing top of Group C if they beat the Danes; This gave the team another chance for automatic qualification.

Speaking after the match, a clearly emotional Clarke paid tribute to his team.

“It was a chance. One game. It was like a play-off final. We risked everything,” he said.

“There’s always a final step, and that’s always the hardest. To ease their mind, to reassure them, to let them know they can get through this situation.”

“Some moments of the match went in our favor. We were ahead 2-1 against 10 players, but we lost and asked ‘What are we doing?’ we thought.

“But that’s the Scottish way.”