Man City 3-0 Liverpool: Match Review
Scotland have qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 4-2 victory over Denmark with Liverpool defender Andy Robertson captaining the team.
Andy Robertson paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota after Scotland ended their lengthy wait to qualify for the World Cup.
The Tartan Army earned a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark to top Group C and book their spot in next year’s tournament. Scotland have not been involved in a World Cup since 1998.
Robertson skippered Steve Clarke’s side to their triumph on a night that has been etched into Scottish folklore at Hampden Park. They twice threw away the lead before Kiernan Tierney netted in stoppage-time against 10-man Denmark and Kenny McClean confirmed the win from the halfway line as the visitors chased another equaliser.
And after the game, Robertson revealed that he spent the entire day in the build-up to the game thinking about his late friend and Liverpool team-mate Jota. The forward tragically passed away in a car accident during the summer after helping the Reds win the Premier League title last season.
What’s been said
Robertson told BBC Sport: "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 because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. 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. 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.”
How the Scottish media rated Andy Robertson’s performance
Scotland’s victory will have been celebrated long into the night. The media north of the border were generally impressed by Robertson’s performance despite being guilty of giving away a penalty. The left-back brought down Denmark’s Gustav Isaksen, with a VAR intervention adjudging that Robertson's foot was on the line of the box. Rasmus Hojland converted.
Still, The Scotsman felt that the Liverpool veteran was worthy of a 7/10 score for his leadership he showed. It said: “The Scotland captain worked exceptionally hard all night on his 90th cap. Pinged by VAR for a needless challenge on Gustav Isaksen right on the corner of the penalty box which resulted in a spot-kick for Hojlund to convert. But he drove his team on and deserves this moment. A true leader.”
The Heraldalso agreed that Robertson deserved the same score for the chances he created after his error. It commented: “Scotland captain was unfortunate to concede a penalty for a loose tackle just inside the area, but VAR looked to have got it right. Forced to defend for the majority of the evening, but created some huge chances when desperately searching for a winner.”
The Edinburgh Evening Newswas slightly harsher, though, dishing out only a 6/10 and said: “Looking to make up for an error-strewn display in Athens on his 90th cap, the skipper conceded the penalty after tripping Isaksen on edge of the box. Recovered well thereafter and didn't let his head drop.”
Yet the Daily Mailwere extremely harsh and handed Robertson a mere 4/10. It said: “Never looked comfortable against Isaksen. Could have no complaints over giving away the penalty after catching the tricky winger. Distribution not up to scratch either.”
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