Thanks for your company on an historic night for Scotland. I’ll leave you with Ewan Murray’s report from Hampden – goodnight.
The European playoff seedings
Pot 1 Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.
Pot 2 Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
Pot 3 Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo.
Pot 4 Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland.
The teams in Pot 1 will play a one-off game at home to those in Pot 4, and the teams in Pot 2 will be at home to those in Pot 3. Then the winners of each semi-final go into a one-legged final. The draw takes place on Thursday during a 427-course buffet at Fifa HQ.
Hampden Park has hosted seismic, spine-tingling occasions in a storied history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland’s long, long wait is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curler from 22 yards seemed to have sealed victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an even more spectacular fourth.
Almost three decades of frustration, during which Scotland have peered towards men’s World Cups from afar, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. Denmark’s participation in next summer’s jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly giddy football nation can start making concrete plans.
PhD students could produce work on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They appeared down and out at times, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.
Match report: Wales 7-1 North Macedonia
Wales saved their best until last and head into the World Cup playoffs on the back of an emphatic demolition of North Macedonia that guarantees Craig Bellamy’s team a home semi-final next March. Opponents will be rightly apprehensive of visiting Cardiff on this evidence.
Bellamy’s depleted side were superb as they routed the previously unbeaten and previously second-placed team in Group J courtesy of a Harry Wilson hat-trick plus flashes of brilliance from Brennan Johnson and Dan James. Wales knew they had a place in the playoffs courtesy of winning their Nations League group but, stepping up when it mattered most, they ensured the more favourable route towards the next World Cup.
“It’s easy to be cynical about modern football,” writes Kári Tulinius, “but seeing Robertson reminisce about his conversation with Diogo Jota reminds us that today’s players were once kids dreaming about kitting up for their country at the World Cup.”
John McGinn: 'I'll never feel like that on a football pitch again'
I thought we were pretty rubbish to be honest, but who cares? Denmark moved the ball better and looked more assured, even with 10 men. We’ve had a lot of trauma as a Scotland team, a lot of hits, so to get over the line is an amazing feeling.
The gaffer’s teamtalk before we left the hotel was exceptional. We left everything out there, scored some wonder goals. We’re going to a World Cup and I just cannae believe it.
[On being pegged back to 1-1 and 2-2] It’s horrible, absolutely horrible. You think that’s it, glorious failure again. I was thinking about the players in the 91st minute. I thought, ‘Oh not, not again’.
What a strike from Kieran Tierney. I will never, ever feel like that on a football park ever again.
When we scored the referee said there were still five minutes and I thought, ‘I can’t handle this’! I couldn’t move, honestly. I was gubbed. The effort we put in was amazing – Denmark are a really good team. Let’s try and build on it. We need to do improve and we need to do better at a major tournament.
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Andy Robertson: 'I had Diogo Jota in my head all day'
One of the craziest games of football. We’ve certainly put the country through it, but I’m sure it’s worth it: we’re going to the World Cup and I can’t believe it.
I think I hid it well but today I’ve been in bits. I knew this was my last chance of going to the World Cup. I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about the World Cup. He missed out last time because of injury, I missed out because Scotland didn’t qualify and we always discussed what it would be like. I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight. I couldn’t get him out of my head all day.
I’m just so glad it’s ended up this way. [To the interview Kelly Cates] Can’t wait to get down to Liverpool and share a wine with your dad! The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He went through the moments we’ve had together. Serbia was one of the best nights of our lives, when the world was in a dead strange place. Ukraine here was one of the toughest.
Then he said, ‘Let’s make it another one.’ He went into a bit about his life as well. The lads were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all the families – it’s one of the greatest nights of my life.
All tonight's results
Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and some other team have qualified automatically for the World Cup. We’ll have playoff detials in a minute.
Group B
Kosovo 1-1 Switzerland
Sweden 1-1 Slovenia
Group C
Belarus 0-0 Greece
Scotland 4-2 Denmark
Group E
Spain 2-2 Turkey
Bulgaria 2-1 Georgia
Group H
Romania 7-1 San Marino
Austria 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group I
Belgium 7-0 Liechtenstein
Wales 7-1 North Macedonia
Updated
“I’ve no idea how Scotland have qualified,” writes Simon McMahon. “We have been second best to Denmark in both games, were fortunate to beat Greece and Belarus at home, and only started playing in Athens after we went 3-0 down. But apart from that, we’ve been excellent. And who cares anyway. After 28 years, it really is happening again!!! Oh Scotland!!!”
Scotland reaction
Kenny McLean
We knew we had the ability but to do it that late in the day makes it a wee bit special. We knew it was possible, we spoke about it the last few days, but to actually achieve it… incredible. Incredible.
[On his goal] I thought twice to be honest. But I thought ‘Why not?’ and took a pop.
Kieran Tierney
It’s mental, man. One of the best feelings ever. The group, the staff, the fans: everyone deserves it. It’s brilliant, honestly.
[What did it feel like when you scored?] Like it was too good to be true. I don’t know what I did for my celebration. And then Kenny finishes it off and that took all the pressure off. What a night.
And in a nod to the nature of modern football, three of the four goalscorers were substitutes.
Steve Clarke is the happiest dad-dancer on planet earth, jumping around with an almighty grin on his coupon. It’s hard to take in – partly because we’re used to Scotland having their hearts broken, partly because the game was so weird, partly because… ah, who cares, Scotland are going to the World Cup.
This email from James Humphries would suggest the atmosphere in his local pub is no longer one of sick dread.
WE’LL BE COMIN DOWN THE ROAD
WHEN YOU HEAR THAT NOISE OF THE TARTAN ARMY BOYS
WE’LL BE COMIN DOWN THE ROAD
The Scotland players all wait to embrace their coach Steve Clarke. This group of players made history by reaching the European Championship in 2020 – and now they’ve gone one better by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
It was a preposterous game. Denmark were much better, in truth, but the force – some kind of force – was with Scotland. Scott McTominay started it with a disgustingly good overhead kick, then Denmark equalised through Rasmus Hojlund. Lawrence Shankland scored from a yard, then ten-man Denmark equalised through Patrick Dorgu.
Kieran Tierney stamped everyone’s passport with a fantastic goal in the 93rd minute, then Kenny McLean brought the house down by sealing the match from the halfway line.
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SCOTLAND ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP!
Full time: Scotland 4-2 Denmark Yes, sir, Scotland can boogie.
Astonishing scenes. Schmeichel was well out of his goal, playing as a sweeper keeper, and McLean wedged a golf shot over his head and into the net.
GOAL! Scotland 4-2 Denmark (McLean 90+8)
They’re still playing alright: Kenny McLean has chipped Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line and Scotland are going to the World Cup. No ifs, no buts, no playoffs: they’ve done it!
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90+8 min They’re still playing…
90+5 min The way Tierney struck that ball was so relaxed, almost nonchalant, like he was curling the last ball into the net at the end of training. What a goal!
Kieran Tierney has scored a glorious goal to put Scotland on the cusp of the World Cup! My spine hasn’t tingled this much since… well never mind that, what a goal! That free-kick led to a few balls into the box and eventually a miserably shanked clearance from Hjulmand. Tierney ran onto the loose ball, 25 yards from goal, and flashed an outrageous curling shot into the far corner!
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GOAL! Scotland 3-2 Denmark (Tierney 90+3)
Oh my days.
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90+3 min Denmark are wasting time at every opportunity. Scotland aren’t happy, but then McGinn probably dived to get Kristensen sent off so don’t ask me the moral of the story.
Scotland win a free-kick just past the centre circle. This might be a chance…
Updated
90+2 min “This has 96th-minute goalmouth stramash written all over it,” says Tim Smith, “with the ball bouncing a foot over the line after an outrageous rebound off McGinn’s ample arse. You heard it here first.”
90+1 min The “excellent” Hojlund?” sniffs Paulo Biriani. “All he’s done is miss good opportunities and whine whenever he gets tackled or challenged. He’s been as bad as the referee who has got so many things wrong for both teams.”
Opinions are like foibles, Paulo.
90 min: Denmark substitution Mika Biereth replaces Isaksen. There will be six minutes of added time. Six big ones.
88 min This is Scotland’s best spell since the first 10 minutes. Trouble is, there are only a couple of minutes plus another five of added time remaining.
86 min: Just wide by McGinn Now Ferguson’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked. Moments later, McGinn teases a curler this far wide of the far top corner; that was a gorgeous effort.
85 min McGinn plays a cute pass to the underlapping McLean, whose fast cross is headed across goal and wide by the stooping Adams. Tough chance.
GOAL! Wales 7-1 North Macedonia (Broadhead 88)
I missed this because of the Dorgu goal but Wales are running riot.
83 min: Denmark substitution Christian Norgaard replaces the excellent Rasmus Hojlund.
Oh, Scotland. Denmark, who are down to ten men remember, have equalised for the second time. Hojlund held the ball up well, Isaksen’s cross wasn’t cleared properly, Christensen laid the ball off and Dorgu passed the ball almost nonchalantly past Gordon. It’s a superb finish and a hammer blow to Scotland.
80 min I don’t know how to break this to you, but Scotland are in serious danger of qualifying for the World Cup.
Scotland won a corner on the left that was curled in wickedly by Ferguson. It brushed Hojbjerg at the near posat and was sniffed into the net from barely a yard by Shankland. He was in an offside position but it doesn’t matter because the touch came off Hojbjerg rather than a Scotland player.
GOAL! Scotland 2-1 Denmark (Shankland 78)
Lawrence Shankland has restored Scotland’s lead!
Updated
77 min The laxative might be working. Lewis Ferguson has just had Scotland’s first effort on target since McTominay’s early goal. It came from a long throw, a snapshot that was saved comfortably by Schmeichel, but it has got the crowd going.
GOAL! Wales 6-1 North Macedonia (Wilson 81 pen)
A hat-trick for Harry Wilson!
74 min Isaksen, who has been superb, curls not far wide after another sinuous run. Scotland, sorry to say, look utterly, irredeemably constipated.
73 min “Sorry, is there some other game taking place?” smirks Matt Dony. “All I can see is Harry Wilson inspiring the best Welsh performance for a good while. Mae’n dod adre!”
It should be 6-1 in a minute because Wales have a penalty.
72 min: Scotland substitution Kieran Tierney replaces Aaron Hickey.
71 min Hjulmand finally nails a long-range shot that is well blocked on the edge of the area. Denmark, even with 10 men, are the better team.
70 min No sign yet of Scotland building any momentum. It’s been a weirdly disjointed performance, not just tonight but throughout the qualifying campaign. And they’re still only one goal from reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
GOAL! Wales 5-1 North Macedonia (Wilson 75)
Harry Wilson gets his second and Wales’ fifth with a lovely, trademark free-kick from 22 yards.
Updated
67 min Another corner to Denmark, who will kick themselves if they don’t qualify tonight as they have been much the better team.
65 min “The 18-yard penalty area line hasn’t moved since it was introduced,” begins Andy Flintoff. “Professional footballers always think they can get away with committing a foul just outside it, but they’re always running the risk of it being deemed on the line and giving away a penalty. You would think they’d have enough brains to not do that, or am I crediting them with too much intelligence?”
My impression was that Robertson made a split-second misjudgement and thought the ball was there to be won. Now you see it, now you don’t.
Updated
64 min: Denmark substitution Jannik Vestergaard replaces Mikkel Damsgaard, a defender for an attacking midfielder in response to Kristensen’s red card.
64 min: Double substitution for Scotland Steve Clarke goes for broke by bringing on two centre-forwards, Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland, for Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes.
62 min It’s worth stressing that, had Kristensen fouled McGinn it would have been a clear yellow-card offence because McGinn was away. I’m just not sure it was a foul.
61 min: Rasmus Kristensen is sent off!
Another twist at Hampden. McGinn turns Kristensen beautifully, feels a little bit of contact and decides it’s time for a lie-down. The referee buys it and gives Kristensen a second yellow card.
Updated
60 min The slippery Isaksen again gets away from Robertson, who is grateful to see the covering McGinn clear the danger.
59 min The ‘passes completed’ statistic is bonkers: Scotland 83-404 Denmark.
Craig Gordon went the wrong way, to his left, and Hojlund curled the penalty into the net. On the balance of play Denmark undoubtedly deserve to be level.
GOAL! Scotland 1-1 Denmark (Hojlund 57 pen)
Rasmus Hojlund whips the penalty into the net!
Updated
Penalty to Denmark!
56 min Andy Robertson is not impressed. I think it was a foul but I’m not 100 per cent sure, from the replays we’ve seen, that it was inside the area.
Isaksen received the ball on the half turn, slipped away from Robertson and was taken down. There was a long delay while the VAR team assessed whether it was inside the area of not.
Updated
55 min And now the referee is going to the monitor.
55 min They’re still checking whether it was inside the area or not.
54 min: VAR check I think this will be a penalty for Denmark.
53 min Isaksen goes flying right on the edge of the area after a late challenge from Robertson. Nothing is given on the field but this will be checked for a potential penalty.
52 min Dorgu’s dangerous cross is forced clear with a touch of desperation by Scotland. They’re hanging on, already.
GOAL! Wales 4-1 North Macedonia (James 57)
All over, surely, in Cardiff, where Dan James has finished off a lovely move to make it 4-1.
Updated
49 min The corner is half cleared and then hoofed over the bar, I think by Isaksen. Denmark have taken on way too many shots from 20-30 yards tonight.
48 min Isaksen wins a corner off Robertson. Scotland can’t do this for another 45 minutes. If nothing else, I’m starting to fear for the well being of Simon McMahon, James Humphries and Scott Murray.
47 min: Good save by Gordon! Denmark have picked up where they left off. Hojlund receives a sharp pass from Hojbjerg just inside the area, works the angle and forces a low shot through the crowd with his left foot. Gordon sees it late but does very well to get down and push the ball round the near post.
46 min Denmark get the second half underway. In around 50 minutes time, one of these teams will be in the 2026 World Cup.
Updated
Half-time reading
“I realise it’s a vital qualifier for Scotland and Denmark but it’s also entertaining for Napoli fans,” writes Colum Fordham. “Watching in (rain-sodden) Naples, I’m interested in the contest between McTominay and Hojlund. The former seems to be edging it thus far with a stunning bicicletta or bicycle kick. Also have a vested interest in Andy Robertson, as a Liverpool fan, so come on Scotland!”
The half-time scores
Group B
Kosovo 0-0 Switzerland
Sweden 0-0 Slovenia
Group C
Belarus 0-0 Greece
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
Group E
Spain 1-1 Turkey
Bulgaria 2-0 Georgia
Group H
Romania 3-1 San Marino
Austria 0-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group I
Belgium 3-0 Liechtenstein
Wales 3-1 North Macedonia
Half time: Scotland 1-0 Denmark
Tense, nervous headache? You must be a Scotland fan. The euphoria of Scott McTominay’s astonishing early goal slowly evaporated as Denmark dominated the rump of the first half at Hampden.
They didn’t create many chances, but it’s a big ask for Scotland to maintain that level of defensive discipline and concentration for another seven hours 45 minutes.
45+3 min Christensen,the centre-back who scored a violent screamer at Euro 2021, moves forward and shapes a nice first-time shot from 25 yards. It deflects off a defender and flies a few yards wide.
45 min Rasmus Kristensen is booked for an unashamedly cynical foul on McGinn, who nicked the ball high up the field and was making for the penalty area.
44 min There will be four minutes of added time.
42 min For all Denmark’s pressure, Craig Gordon hasn’t had much to do. Denmark are snatching at quarter-chances rather than waiting for something more clear-cut.
40 min Excellent defending from Hanley, who steps in front of Hojlund to win the ball and waits for the inevitable foul.
40 min Take away one of the most outrageous goals ever scored on a football field in Great Britain and it’s been a pretty uneventful half of football.
Updated
39 min “How long left?” weeps Simon McMahon. “I would imagine McTominay’s early goal has only added to the feeling of sick dread James Humphries referred to before kick off. In a way, this is the nightmare scenario for all Scots, scoring early and then hanging on for grim death for almost the full 90 minutes. Have one for me, James.”
One.
38 min A long-range shot from Hojbjerg takes a deflection and whistles not far wide of goal. Gordon had it covered though.
The resulting corner eventually leads to Froholdt bothering Air Traffic Control from the edge of the area.
GOAL! Wales 3-1 North Macedonia (Johnson 37)
Brennan Johnson scores with a deflected shot after a terrific solo run; Wales’ lead is back to two.
Updated
36 min McTominay’s goal remains the only effort on target at either end.
35 min It’s a statement of the bleedin’ obvious but, with the way the game is unfolding, Scotland are really missing Gannon-Doak’s pace. They could dump any old filth in behind the Denmark defence, safe in the knowledge he would chase and probably retrieve it.
34 min A lamentable long-range shot from Hjulmand has just appeared on Air Traffic Control.
33 min “Like Kim Thonger, I’m watching in solidarity with our Scottish contingent,” says Phil Sawyer. “But I actually stood up and punched the air when that McTominay goal went in. I don’t get this invested in England qualifiers.”
32 min Scott McTominay did score that goal, didn’t he? It feels a long time ago because Scotland can’t get out of their own half.
29 min: Chance for Hojlund Dorgu’s cross is fractionally behind Hojlund, who twists a header over the bar. It was a good, improvised effort, though I suspect he was offside.
More pertinently, it’s all Denmark now and Scotland urgently need half-time. Which is 16 minutes away, plus added time.
28 min The ever willing Hojlund wins a corner for Denmark. Damsgaard’s wicked inswinger brushes Robertson’s head and flashes just wide of the far post. Isaksen’s corner is headed a few yards wide by Hojlund. Gordon waves it away but it was pretty close.
25 min Denmark are dominating possession now. It’s human nature to retreat when you have what you need, but Scotland need to do more when they get the ball. They’ve stopped playing.
23 min: Disallowed goal for Denmark Rasmus Hojlund finishes from close range but is penalised for either handball or a push on Aaron Hickey, I think the former. Either way, VAR have upheld the on-field decision so the goal is ruled out.
Updated
GOAL! Wales 2-1 North Macedonia (Miovski 23)
Bojan Miovski gets one back straight away for North Macedonia. Meanwhile…
22 min: Scotland substitution Poor Ben Gannon-Doak, the most reliable source of electricity in this side, is stretchered off. Kenny McLean replaces him and Ryan Christie moves out to the right wing.
GOAL! Wales 2-0 North Macedonia (Brooks 21)
Bang bang! Two goals in barely three minutes for Wales, who are on course to finish second in their group and have a better seeding for the playoffs. David Brooks, who was fouled for the penalty, has scored the second with a deflected shot.
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20 min “An hour ago I told my childhood friend Kelvin MacDonald Fraser, that in his honour, I would be supporting Scotland tonight,” writes Kim Thonger. “We grew up together, you know, the usual stuff, pretending to be Regan and Carter in The Sweeney, throwing innocent people down stairs in police stations.
“Anyway, I feel as though I’ve delivered for him. He’s somewhere on the west coast of Scotland, watching the game after hooking golf balls into the sea on a links golf course all day, and I want him to know that that McTominay goal went in because I was watching and making it happen. Could you tell him, eh pal?”
I mean, I can try. I had a similar thought about some old friends in Orkney when the goal went in.
Updated
19 min This is very bad news for Scotland. Ben Gannon-Doak, who made the goal, is holding his hamstring after stretching to try to block a cross from Patrick Dorgu. He can barely stand up and his night is surely over.
Updated
GOAL! Wales 1-0 North Macedonia (Wilson 18 pen)
A clumsy tackle by Andrej Stojchevski on David Brooks gives Wales a penalty. Harry Wilson takes it expertly, arrowing a left-foot shot into the bottom-left corner.
Updated
17 min “Cyprus v Scotland, WCQ, 1989,” begins Tony Hughes. “Arguably one of my favorite games of all time. Scotland, expecting to win, find themselves losing to a bunch of guys who had to take the afternoon off to play the game. Luckily, a Russian referee, six minutes of time added on and Richard Gough popped up to get us over the line.”
16 min Hojlund blasts a dangerous ball across the face of goal, the kind he wants to be on the end of, then has a header blocked by a defender. Good spell this for Denmark.
14 min Hojbjerg shoots over from distance after an extended spell of possession for Denmark, who are trying to take the sting out of the game. This is a key period, potentially Scotland’s best chance to get the job done.
12 min “I haven’t felt that good since Scott McTominay scored against Denmark in 2025,” writes David Manby.
10 min Joachim Andersen is booked for a cynical foul on John McGinn. Scotland are a model of controlled aggression and Denmark look rattled.
8 min I still can’t spake.
MCTOMINAY!! 🏴
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 18, 2025
UNBELIEVABLE! 😲#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/F0IFFjU49e
7 min Rasmus Hojlund strolls through one on one and is denied superbly by Craig Gordon. The flag goes up for offside as soon as the ball is dead, but it was pretty tight – probably just offside.
5 min I can’t spake.
Updated
What a goal! What an unbelievable goal from Scott McTominay! Gannon-Doak intercepted an attempted clearance on the right, turned aaway from a defender and lifted a routine left-foot cross towards McTominay. He was 10 yards out, facing away from goal, with the ball at head height – and then he launched into an outrageous overhead kick that bounced into the corner of the net.
The ball was head height, maybe even higher. McTominay did well to reach the ball, never mind guide it past the diving Schmeichel. That’s one of the greatest goals in Scottish football history.
Updated
GOLAZOOOOOOOO! Scotland 1-0 Denmark (McTominay 3)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Scott Effing McTominay!
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3 min “Pessimism might just have the edge – at least in Duncan Hunter’s case; he got soundly done by a cleverer opponent and was sent off to sit out the action for many years,” writes Charles Antaki. “As it happens, he was morally righteous, and deserved better, but that didn’t seem to count. No allegories there.”
2 min McGinn turns smartly but then overhits a chipped pass down the left to Robertson. It’s a pig of a night in Glasgow, cold and wet.
1 min To a huge roar from the assembled masochists home support, Scotland kick off from right to left.
Updated
“The voices in my head today,” begins Justin Kavanagh, “are having this conversation…”
DI Jimmy Perez I’m not gonna lie to you, Duncan. Watching you live your life is like watching Scotland try to qualify for the World Cup, It’s frustrating. Embarrassing. At times excruciating. But ultimately, I live in hope that you’ll get there in the end.
Duncan Hunter How many World Cups do you think we’ve got left at our age? Three?
DI Jimmy Perez Away you go. We’ve got six or seven at least.
Duncan Hunter That’s the difference between me and you. You’re an optimist at heart.
“But can you be an optimist as a Scot?”
Erm, depends if you’re a football fan?
A reminder of the teams
There’s been a late change for Scotland: John Souttar has been injured in the warm-up and Grant Hanley has been restored to the side.
Scotland (4-2-3-1ish) Gordon; Hickey, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson; Christie, Ferguson; Gannon-Doak, McTominay, McGinn; Dykes.
Subs: Kelly, Bain, Tierney, Irving, Adams, Hendry, Barron, Hirst, Shankland, Ralston, McLean.
Denmark (4-2-3-1ish) Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Dorgu; Hjulmand, Hojbjerg; Isaksen, Frohold, Damsgaard; Hojlund.
Subs: Hermansen, Jorgensen, Vestergaard, Hogsberg, Nartey, O’Riley, Eriksen, Norgaard, Billing, Wind, Biereth, Bruun Larsen.
Referee Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Updated
Steve Clarke's pre-match thoughts
[On his team selection] A little bit of freshness. The striker one is pretty straightforward – we ask a lot of the lone striker and Che [Adams] got the hard shit the other night. At the back I was looking for a bit more balance; Scott being a left-footer gets the nod.
It’d be nice to start well. That’s something we’ve discussed. When we have the chance, we have to play – be progressive, create chances. If the game has to be physical we’ve got players who can do that.
I’m ready, the players are the ready. The fans: I hope they’re ready and that they get behind thee team from the first minute to the last.
“Hiya Rob,” writes James Humphries. “You might call the atmosphere of the pub I’m in ‘nervous anticipation’, but I think ‘sick dread’ is probably more accurate. Had the horrifying realisation after Ireland’s result that things are now falling into place for us to once again be on the wrong end of someone else’s feelgood story in the playoffs.
“Anyway, we all know what happens when I email in during games (see eg Celtic-Motherwell), so you’ll just have to imagine my pained howls as the disaster unfolds.”
I’m only 450 miles away so I’d imagine I’ll hear them.
“Evening Rob,” writes Simon McMahon. “I’ve avoided the build up to tonight’s winner takes all showdown at Hampden all day, but no longer. June 1998 is etched into my memory as not only the month that Scotland last played a game in the World Cup finals, but also when, what was it, oh yes, my first child was born. Twenty seven years of hurt since. And the football hasn’t been much fun either. But all that could change tonight…”
You’re going to reveal you became a father in June 1990?
'At least this wee fella loves me'
This piece by Scott Murray is 13 years old, yet it’s somehow timeless.
There’s no need to be raking over the ashes of the 1978 campaign again, other than to recall one of the great press conferences, poor Ally MacLeod bending down to stroke a stray dog in attempt to dodge the brickbats aimed at his noggin in the wake of Scotland’s miserable draw with Iran. “At least this wee fella loves me,” he simpered, nanoseconds before the cur sank its gnashers into the hand of the Souness-shunning sadsack.
This is great fun. Since you asked, 14/15.
Thirty-four teams have qualified for the World Cup. Read all about ‘em
Wales v North Macedonia team news
Harry Wilson captains Wales in the absence of the suspended Ethan Ampadu. Josh Sheehan, Brennan Johnson and Liam Cullen all come into the side.
Wales Darlow; Williams, Lawlor, Rodon, Dasilva, Sheehan, Wilson, D James, Cullen, Brooks, Johnson.
Subs: King, A Davies, Mepham, Koumas, I Davies, Kpakio, Norrington-Davies, J Colwill, R Colwill, Harris, Thomas, Broadhead.
North Macedonia Dimitrievski, Ilievski, Velkovski, Zajkov, Askovski, Kostadinov, Bardhi, Alimi, Stojchevski, Miovski, Elmas.
Subs: Iliev, Aleksovski, Serafimov, Babunski, Trajkovski, Churlinov, Despotovski, Rastoder, Qamili, Ristovski, Ramadani, Atanasov.
Fancy some goosebumps? If you haven’t seen the celebrations after Troy Parrott’s third goal for Ireland on Sunday, I implore you to watch this irresistible slice of life-affirmation.
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Denmark team news: Hojlund returns
Four changes from the Denmark from the XI that started their potential costly draw at home to Belarus. Joachim Andersen, Morten Hjulmand, Victor Froholdt and Rasmus Hojlund replace Jannik Vestergaard, Christian Norgaard, Christian Eriksen and Jonas Wind.
Denmark (4-2-3-1ish) Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Dorgu; Hjulmand, Hojbjerg; Isaksen, Froholdt, Damsgaard; Hojlund.
Subs: Hermansen, Jorgensen, Vestergaard, Hogsberg, Nartey, O’Riley, Eriksen, Norgaard, Billing, Wind, Biereth, Bruun Larsen.
Updated
Scotland team news: Dykes and McKenna start
Steve Clarke has made two changes from the madcap defeat in Greece on Saturday. Scott McKenna replaces Grant Hanley and Lyndon Dykes is preferred up front to Che Adams. Interesting. Very interesting.
Scotland (4-2-3-1ish) Gordon; Hickey, Souttar, McKenna, Robertson; Christie, Ferguson; Gannon-Doak, McTominay, McGinn; Dykes.
Subs: Kelly, Bain, Hanley, Tierney, Irving, Adams, Hendry, Barron, Hirst, Shankland, Ralston, McLean.
Updated
Wounding events in modern history mean Scotland can not be a football country that expects. It is, however, one on tenterhooks as the prospect of long‑awaited World Cup qualification looms so large.
On paper, the task is simple: beat Denmark at Hampden Park and the Scots will take a place in next summer’s tournament. It is the significance of progress that matters far more than the fact the Danes are ranked 18 places higher in the world.
Scotland have not played in the World Cup since 1998. You must go back to 1989 for the last time they qualified for anything in front of a Hampden audience. This ranks as a game for the ages. Potentially.
The testimony of Andy Robertson is fascinating in this context. The Liverpool full-back and Scotland captain knows a thing or two about marquee achievement. He has 89 caps. What would leading his country to a World Cup mean? “I don’t like thinking about it and that’s the honest answer,” he said. “I’m excited and looking forward to a one-game shootout for the World Cup. If it happens, I’ll tell you how I feel about it.”
The last time Scotland qualified for a World Cup was 11 October 1997, when Sunchyme by Dario G – it’s okay, you can admit you like it now – was second in the charts, William Hague was all over the front pages and some of us had more hair then him.
Scotland beat Latvia 2-0 that night and qualified automatically as the best runner-up across nine groups. Tonight’s task is tougher, but then the reward is greater. If Scotland beat Denmark at Hampden, they will be among the chosen 48 for next summer’s World Cup; if they draw or lose, they will go into the playoffs. It’s mercifully simple, terrifyingly so if you’re a Scotland fan.
Scotland v Denmark is our main focus but we’ll have goalflashes from Cardiff, where Wales need to beat North Macedonia to improve their seeding for the upcoming playoffs, and half-time/full-time updates from the other matches. Here’s the full list.
Group B
Kosovo v Switzerland
Sweden v Slovenia
Switzerland will qualify automatically unless they lose by six goals to Kosovo, who along with Sweden are guaranteed a playoff place.
Group C
Belarus v Greece
Scotland v Denmark
See above
Group E
Spain v Turkey
Bulgaria v Georgia
Spain will qualify unless they lose by seven goals at home to Turkey, who are guaranteed a playoff place. Spain could join England in winning every game without conceding a goal.
Group H
Romania v San Marino
Austria v Bosnia and Herzegovina
This group is a bit tighter. Bosnia and Herzegovina will steal the automatic qualification spot from Austria if they win in Vienna. Romania are guaranteed a playoff spot along with Austria or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Group I
Belgium v Liechtenstein
Wales v North Macedonia
Belgium need to win at home to Liechtenstein to guarantee automatic qualification, though a draw should be enough and we feel a bit silly acknowleding this as a live prospect. Assuming Belgium win, Wales and North Macedonia – both guaranteed a playoff place – are fighting for a better seeding in that draw. They are level on points but Wales have an inferior goal difference so they need to win.
Preamble
Preamble? There are no preambles. Who needs preambles when Scotland are one win away from reaching their first World Cup since 1998.
Kick off 7.45pm.
