Scotland beat Denmark in style at Hampden Park to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The night got off to a dramatic start in Glasgow as Scott McTominay put Scotland ahead after just three minutes with a deft bicycle kick. Scotland would not have another shot on target until deep into the second half, by which time they had been pegged back by Rasmus Hojlund’s penalty.
But a red card to Rasmus Kristensen shortly after let them back into the match. Lawrence Shankland restored the Scots’ lead, but they lost it again to Patrick Dorgu just three minutes later. They finally stamped their authority on the match in injury time, though. Kieran Tierney curled a wonderful effort beyond a helpless Kasper Schmeichel to put Scotland back in front, before Kenny McLean added a stunner from halfway to put the result beyond doubt.
Denmark will now be left to pick up the pieces and head to the UEFA qualifying play-off, which will be drawn this week. Catch up with the action as it happened below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis.
Scotland vs Denmark key moments
- GOAL! McLean adds another injury-time screamer
- GOAL! Tierney gives Scotland injury-time advantage
- GOAL! Dorgu equalises at the death
- GOAL! Shankland gives Scotland late lead
- RED CARD! Kristensen dismissed
- GOAL! Hojlund equalises from the spot
- GOAL! McTominay bicycle kick opens scoring
- Souttar injured in warm-up
FULL TIME: Scotland 4-2 Denmark
21:48 , Arthur FerridgeMcLean’s screamer is the last kick of the game, and Scotland are going back to the World Cup!
GOAL! Scotland 4-2 Denmark
21:48 , Arthur FerridgeWhat a way to cap it! As Denmark chase another equaliser, Kenny McLean scores from halfway! It is unbelievable!
Scotland 3-2 Denmark
21:45 , Arthur Ferridge90+6mins: Can’t be long left now...
Scotland 3-2 Denmark
21:43 , Arthur Ferridge90+4mins: Not long for Scotland to hold on now...
GOAL! Scotland 3-2 Denmark | Tierney '90+3mins
21:42 , Arthur FerridgeTierney hits a STUNNER! It must be the winner, and it must send Scotland to the World Cup! Hampden Park has gone ballistic!
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:39 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Isaksen is replaced by Biereth and six minutes are added on.
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:38 , Arthur Ferridge89mins: Dorgu is down injured off the pitch as the clock continues to tick down.
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:35 , Arthur Ferridge87mins: Another wonderful chance for Scotland as McGinn curls an effort mere millimetres wide of the top corner.
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:34 , Arthur Ferridge86mins: Great chance as a loose ball falls to Ferguson in the box, but his effort is blocked.
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:33 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: McGinn’s delivery is batted away but Scotland come again and Che Adams heads wide across the face of goal.
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:33 , Arthur Ferridge84mins: Another corner for Scotland...
Scotland 2-2 Denmark
21:32 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: Hojlund is down injured in the aftermath of the equaliser and is replaced by Arsenal’s Norgaard.
GOAL! Scotland 2-2 Denmark | Dorgu '82
21:30 , Arthur FerridgeDenmark respond after just four minutes! Dorgu is unmarked at the far post and slots one beyond Gordon.
Scotland 2-1 Denmark
21:29 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Scotland really need to dig in now. A first World Cup appearance since 1998 is so, so close.
GOAL! Scotland 2-1 Denmark | Shankland '78
21:27 , Arthur FerridgeScotland are back in front! Shankland gets the slightest of touches on Ferguson’s corner and Schmeichel is beaten!
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Scotland are waking up now. They win a corner through Ferguson.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Close from Scotland! The hosts chalk up their second and third shots of the evening. Ferguson’s is blocked, and the follow up is caught by Schmeichel.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:24 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Robertson’s cross is unusually wayward, and Scotland’s latest attack is spurned.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: McTominay’s goal is still Scotland’s only shot of the match.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:21 , Arthur Ferridge72mins: Tierney replaces Hickey.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:20 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Close from Denmark as Hojlund sees a shot blocked in the box and the visitors lay siege to the Scotland box, but cannot call Gordon into action.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:19 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: Chasing a winner, Steve Clarke looks to the bench and throws a full-back into the mix. Kieran Tierney will replace Aaron Hickey momentarily.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:18 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: A reminder as we approach the final 20 minutes that Scotland need to win this match if they are to qualify automatically. Not long left to do so.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Denmark are not playing like a ten-man team. They still have Scotland more or less under the cosh.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:13 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Denmark make changes of their own, replacing Damsgaard with Vestergaard.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Christie and Dykes are replaced by Adams and Shankland.
RED CARD! Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:10 , Arthur FerridgeKristensen is dismissed! His second yellow is very similar to his first as he tackles McGinn in cynical fashion, and Denmark are down to ten. Another twist in the tale!
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:09 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Isaksen has Roebrtson on his heels again, but is eventually tackled by Hanley as he dances into the box.
Scotland 1-1 Denmark
21:07 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: Scotland have immediately shifted into a more attacking setup. Better late than never, I suppose.
GOAL! Scotland 1-1 Denmark | Hojlund '57 (P)
21:05 , Arthur FerridgeHojlund dispatches the penalty, meaning Denmark are back level and, as it stands, are going to the World Cup.
PENALTY! Scotland 1-0 Denmark
21:04 , Arthur FerridgeAndy Robertson, on his 90th appearance for Scotland, has conceded a penalty! That is pivotal...
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
21:04 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: The referee is off to the monitor...
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
21:03 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: VAR deem it a foul, but are unsure where the offence took place. Is it a penalty, or not?
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
21:02 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Robertson comes together with Hjulmand in the Scotland box but the referee waves his appeals away. VAR are investigating, however.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
21:01 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: A third Denmark cross in this half is cleared away. Say what you like about Scotland’s performance here, their set-piece defending has been faultless.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
21:00 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Denmark go close again as Dorgu’s cross pinballs in the box, but the hosts clear their lines.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:58 , Arthur Ferridge49mins: Denmark’s second corner of the half is cleared with relative ease by Scotland, and a follow-up shot is sent into orbit by Isakson.
This is not sustainable for Scotland. They need to switch on.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:56 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: Denmark have picked up where they left off. They’re straight back into the Scotland half and missing chances. Hojlund draws a very good save from Gordon down to his right.
2ND HALF: Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:53 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway!
Permutations
20:42 , Arthur FerridgeA reminder, if needed, that the only way Scotland can qualify automatically from this match is with a win here. Denmark go through with a win or a draw.
HALF TIME: Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:37 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle!
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:36 , Arthur Ferridge45+3mins: Denmark win a late corner which comes to nothing. As has been the tale throughout the half, they’ve been camped in the final third but are struggling to challenge Gordon. McTominay is tripped by Damsgaard as he looks to play out.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge45+1mins: The free-kick comes to nothing as the fourth official announces four minutes added time.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Kristensen has his pocket picked by McGinn at the back, and retaliates. He is booked for his troubles. Huge chance for Scotland now.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: Scotland make a rare foray forward, but it is halted as Hickey is deemed to have fouled Christensen.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Denmark are piling on the pressure now as they battle for an equaliser before the break.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: One wonders how far the Denmark squad trust Hojlund’s finishing abilities. They’ve opted to shoot from range rather than play him crosses a few times now.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: Froholdt shoots over from the edge of the box. For all their possession dominance and pretty build-up play, Denmark have been quite wasteful in the final third.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Hojbjerg is the latest to shoot from distance, and his effort is deflected wide.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Lyndon Dykes does well to get on the end of Robertson’s ball over the top, but left a fraction of a second too early and is flagged offside.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge34mins: Hjulmand has an optimistic shot from about 30 yards and it is well over the bar. It would have been into Row Z if not for the athletics track at Hampden Park.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:21 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: Not insignificant boos from a certain sect of the Glaswegian matchgoing fans as Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel gets his hands on the ball.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: Kristensen clatters McGinn and is penalised, briefly alleviating the constant pressure on Scotland. Clarke is going to need to make some tweaks if this keeps up.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:17 , Arthur Ferridge29mins: Dorgu puts a smart cross in to Hojlund, who heads over the bar. He could have had two or three already this half.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Hojlund wins a corner for Denmark, which Robertson heads behind. The follow-up is headed wide by Hojlund. The Napoli striker is seeing an awful lot of the ball.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Isaksen is giving Robertson a tough night’s work on that right flank. He looks really dangerous.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: We are back underway and Denmark have picked up where they left off with the heavy pressure. Hojlund has it in the back of the net, but the referee is quick to rule it out for a push on Hickey.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:08 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Gannon-Doak is stretchered off and is replaced by Kenny McLean.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: This is really sad to see. Gannon-Doak had started so brightly and looks to be in considerable pain now. He’s struggling even to get to his feet.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:06 , Arthur Ferridge18mins: The youngster is down clutching his right hamstring and looks distraught.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:05 , Arthur Ferridge18mins: Gannon-Doak has picked up an issue, by the looks of things.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Denmark come again, but McKenna slides in to deny Froholdt’s shot. Corner for the visitors.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Denmark look particularly composed now. After Scotland’s latest long ball to Gannon-Doak, they play out from the back in a flash and bear down on the Scotland goal. Hojlund gets a tame shot away, but won’t have worried Gordon.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:01 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: Hojbjerg lashes one over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
20:01 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: With that said, the visitors seem to be settling a bit now and working their patterns, but Gannon-Doak is providing a tangible threat for Scotland on the counter.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
19:59 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Denmark are all at sea now - they seem a bit stunned by the goal.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
19:57 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: McGinn is pulled down cynically by Andersen, and the Fulham man cops an early booking.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
19:57 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: Hampden Park is far from quiet at the best of times, but it is rocking now.
Here’s that McTominay goal, if you missed it...
GET IN 💪#SCODEN pic.twitter.com/IsC5ZRKC4i
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 18, 2025
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
19:55 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Hojlund is through on goal and demands a smart save from Gordon, but the flag is up.
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
19:54 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: And just like that, Scotland are in the driver’s seat.
It is early days yet, but as it stands, Scotland are going to the World Cup...
GOAL! Scotland 1-0 Denmark | McTominay '3
19:51 , Arthur FerridgeIT’S THE PERFECT START FOR SCOTLAND! McTominay executes a beautiful bicycle kick to put the hosts in front! What a moment!
Scotland 0-0 Denmark
19:51 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Lively start from Scotland, who are employing a high press and have Denmark on their heels in the early stages. Gannon-Doak’s battle with Dorgu already looks like it will prove an entertaining one.
Scotland 0-0 Denmark
19:50 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: McGinn hits one long to Robertson, but his ball is just out of the Liverpool man’s reach.
Scotland 0-0 Denmark
19:49 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: A reminder that Scotland need to win today in order to secure automatic qualification. Otherwise, it is the play-offs.
KICK-OFF! Scotland 0-0 Denmark
19:48 , Arthur FerridgeWe are underway at Hampden Park!
The players are out...
19:41 , Arthur FerridgeThe anthems are sung, and kick-off is just moments away!
A change to the Scotland side
19:37 , Arthur FerridgeJohn Souttar has picked up an injury in the warm-up and been replaced by Grant Hanley.
Eyes on Hojlund
19:30 , Arthur FerridgeRasmus Hojlund is back in the British Isles tonight.
The Man United striker has rediscovered his form on loan at Napoli, scoring twice so far this season, and is back in the side today after missing last week’s draw with Belarus.
A big evening on the cards for him...
Scotland's last World Cup appearance
19:25 , Arthur FerridgeScotland tonight are looking to end their 27-year wait to qualify for the World Cup - but how did they fare in 1998?
Their squad in France featured the likes of John Collins and Gordon Durie, but they did not fare so well.
The Tartan Army booked an early flight home after going winless in their three group stage matches.
A 2-1 loss to eventual finalists Brazil, decided by a Thomas Boyd own-goal, opened their campaign. It was followed by a 1-1 draw with Norway and a 3-0 defeat by Morocco.
The travelling support are in full voice ahead of kick-off
19:19 , Arthur Ferridge
Qualification permutations
19:14 , Arthur FerridgeIf there is one phrase we can expect to hear a lot from the commentators tonight, it is “as it stands” - the harbinger of funky qualification permutations.
Luckily for those of us who are adverse to maths, there is not going to be much arithmetic to figure out who goes through at full-time tonight.
The permutations are as follows - write this down:
Denmark qualify with a win or a draw.
Scotland also qualify with a win.
Whichever side does not win tonight will head to the qualification play-offs.
Adverse conditions in Glasgow
19:09 , Arthur FerridgeTemperatures in Glasgow tonight are, for lack of a better word, Baltic.
Snow is expected later on, too, which could make things interesting if it strikes before full-time.
Head to head
19:03 , Arthur FerridgeScotland have had the better of their historic meetings with Denmark. The two sides first met in 1951, with Scotland winning 3-1. Their most recent meeting, though, ended goalless.
Scotland wins: 11
Denmark wins: 7
Draws: 1
Nearly time to go
19:02 , Arthur FerridgeWith ten minutes to kick-off, here’s a reminder of today’s lineups.
Scotland XI: Gordon; Robertson, McKenna, Hanley, Hickey; Ferguson, Christie; Gannon-Doak, McTominay, McGinn; Dykes
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Kristensen, Dorgu; Hojbjerg, Froholdt, Hjulmand; Damsgard, Hojlund, Isaksen
The curious case of Matt O'Riley
18:55 , Arthur FerridgeMatt O’Riley is back in Glasgow tonight, a year on from leaving Celtic.
The Dane was among the breakout stars of the year after he bagged 18 Scottish Premiership goals in the 2023-24 campaign.
There was uproar when he failed to make Denmark’s squad for Euro 2024.
Hype continued to build around him, though. He moved to Brighton for a reported £25m fee, but has been slow off the mark on the south coast.
He has not been able to continue his impressive scoring form, charting just three Premier League goals in 23 appearances before being shipped off to Marseille on loan.
Can he make an impression off the bench today, though?
As for the Danes...
18:45 , Arthur FerridgeKasper Schmeichel of Celtic is right at home between the sticks at Hampden Park. He’ll be the only member of this Denmark squad able to sleep in their own bed tonight, unless he fancies a cheeky hotel stay anyway.
Patrick Dorgu of Man United gets the nod at full-back. He is joined in the defensive line by Christensen, Kristensen, and Andersen.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, formerly of Tottenham (remember him?) but now of Marseille, starts in midfield.
Crucially, though, Rasmus Hojlund is back in the squad and is in from the off at centre-forward.
Scotland XI
18:36 , Arthur FerridgeWell then, what to make of the Scotland XI?
As expected, Andy Robertson starts and will earn his 90th cap.
Lydon Dykes comes in to replace Che Adams up top, while Scott McKenna slots into the back line.
Uncharacteristic tinkering from Steve Clarke.
Ben Gannon-Doak retains his spot in the side after scoring in last week’s defeat by Greece, while Napoli’s Scott McTominay returns in the No10. He will wear No4, though, so fair warning to the shirt number purists out there.
DENMARK TEAM NEWS
18:27 , Arthur FerridgeDenmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Kristensen, Dorgu; Hojbjerg, Froholdt, Hjulmand; Damsgard, Hojlund, Isaksen
Subs: Hermansen, Jorgensen, Norgaard, Eriksen, Bruun Larsen, Vesterfaard, Wind, Hogsberg, Biereth, O’Riley, Nartey, Billing
SCOTLAND TEAM NEWS
18:22 , Arthur FerridgeScotland XI: Gordon; Robertson, McKenna, Souttar, Hickey; Ferguson, Christie; Gannon-Doak, McTominay, McGinn; Dykes
Subs: Kelly, Bain, Hanley, Hendry, Adams, Irving, Tierney, Barron, Hirst, Shankland, Ralston, McLean
Robertson's big day
18:17 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool’s Andy Robertson will play his 90th match for Scotland this evening. Hehopes it will be a special occasion for the Tartan Army.
"The fact is it will be my 90th cap, which is a huge honour for me and my family. It's massive," he said pre-match.
"I couldn't even imagine that when I was younger or even when I made my debut. It's nice that it goes along with a pretty big game as well.
"I'm looking forward to it and I hope that my 90th cap will be the most memorable. I hope that as a squad it's one of the most memorable games for all of us and that's what we all dream of."
What went wrong for Scotland against Greece?
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeScotland's slow start may have been to blame as they were beaten by ten-man Greece in Athens this week.
They were behind after just seven minutes as Tasos Bakasetas took advantage of a defensive error, and the deficit stood at three with less than half an hour to go.
A comeback seemed to be on the cards after late goals from Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie, but the necessary equaliser evaded the Scots.
Denmark's shock draw with Belarus, though, means they are still in contention for an automatic qualification berth.
Standard Sport prediction
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeThis is the closest Scotland have come to qualifying for the World Cup for some time, and one thing can be certain tonight - they will not go down easy.
The side is in the midst of a golden generation of sorts, and, with the entire nation willing them to victory at a snowy Hampden Park, they will do all in their power to secure the all-important win.
Last week's loss to Greece is, of course, a blight on the record, but this side should have the requisite quality to turn over Denmark.
Scotland to win, 2-1
Denmark early team news
17:45 , Arthur FerridgeIt remains unclear whether Rasmus Hojlund, on loan at Napoli from Man United, will be fit to play this evening after he missed Denmark's draw with Belarus.
It is certain, however, that Anders Dreier of San Diego FC will miss out. He has not travelled for the match due to illness.
Scotland early team news
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeScotland will be without one player this evening in Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour, who also missed the defeat to Greece this week.
Beyond his absence, it is a fully fit side for tonight’s hosts.
Liverpool's Andy Robertson is expected to earn his 90th cap - more on him later.
How to watch Scotland vs Denmark
17:25 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: The game will be broadcast live in the UK for free on the BBC. Coverage starts at 7.15pm GMT on BBC Scotland and 7.30pm on BBC Two ahead of an 7.45pm kick-off.
Live stream: Fans can also tune into the contest via the BBC Sport app, website and BBC iPlayer.
Alternatively, keep up with the action right here with Standard Sport!
Good evening
17:15 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Scotland vs Denmark!
This is all or nothing for both sides as they go toe-to-toe for the final automatic qualification spot in Group C. Can the hosts book their first spot at a World Cup since 1998.
Follow along right here for minute-by-minute updates, team news, and build-up ahead of kick-off at 7.45pm GMT!
