Scotland 4-2 Denmark

Opponents > Denmark > Scotland 4-2 Denmark, 2025

Scotland came into the match knowing it was a must win, to automatically qualify, while Denmark only needed a draw. There was also drama before the match, as Souttar and McKenna were named as the two centre-backs, but in the warm-up Souttar picked up an injury, and Hanley replaced him.

Scotland could not have got off to a better start, when after only three minutes Gannon-Doak put a cross into the box for McTominay to rise above everyone else and score a spectacular overhead kick, arguably Scotland's greatest ever goal. Denmark then piled on the pressure, and after 22 minutes Højlund had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for a foul. Seven minutes into the second half, there was some controversy. Robertson fouled Isaksen on the edge of the box. After a long VAR check, a penalty was awarded, although it looked to be outside the box. Højlund stepped up and sent Gordon the wrong way to make it 1-1. On the hour mark there was another constoversial decision, as Kristensen received a weak 2nd yellow to reduce Denmark to 10 men. Denmark continued to control the match though, so Steve Clarke made a double change and brought on Shankland and Adams to put two men up front. Scotland then went on the attack, and this payed off. With 12 minutes remaining, Ferguson curled a corner into the box, and Shankland stuck his leg out to put it past Schmeichel and make it 2-1. Scotland's lead lasted only three minutes when some slack defending left Dorgu unmarked in the penalty area, to place it past Gordon and make it 2-2. Denmark looked to hold on for a draw, but Scotland were more attacking. With four minutes remaining McGinn came close with a shot curling just over the bar. Scotland still piled forward in injury time, and in the 93rd minute a poor clearance from Denmark fell to Tierney outside the box. He then curled in a suberb shot that beat Schmeichel making it 3-2 and sending Hampden into raptures. Denmark piled forward and injury time went past the 6 minutes assigned. But in the 98th minute as the ball was cleared to Kenny McLean, instead of running into the corner, he saw Schmeichel way off his line, and shot from inside his own half, lobbing Schmeichel and making it 4-2 with the last kick of the ball. It led to scenes of celebration as Scotland won the group, and gained automatic qualification, taking them to their first World Cup Finals in 28 years.