In a night of pure, unadulterated drama at Hampden Park, the Scotland national football team secured their place at the 2026 World Cup, ending a 28-year wait to return to the global stage. A breathtaking 4-2 victory over Denmark, sealed with two stoppage-time goals, sent the nation into raptures and cemented Steve Clarke's place in history as the first Scotland manager to lead the team to three major tournaments.
‘They Could Smell Magic’: Clarke’s Delight
With the score locked at 2-2 deep into added time, Scotland were staring at the prospect of a tense playoff next March. However, the script was flipped in spectacular fashion. First, Kieran Tierney fired the Scots ahead, before Kenny McLean sent a sensational, audacious strike from the halfway line into the net to trigger scenes of bedlam in Glasgow.
Manager Steve Clarke revealed the incredible connection between the team and the supporters was pivotal. “Right in the last part of the game, the crowd was still with us,” Clarke said. “Everybody was in the stadium, nobody left because they could smell magic.” He expressed immense pride in his players, stating, “I’ve said it for a long time now, how good the players are and how determined they are to be good for their country. They showed that tonight.”
Bottling the Pain of Ukraine Defeat
Clarke explained that the heartbreak of a 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff defeat to Ukraine was a powerful motivator for this squad. He had instructed his players to use that disappointment as fuel. “I told them to remember how we felt after Ukraine and to bottle that feeling,” Clarke added. “I knew they would get to that stage again because they’re good… you get over the line.” He emphasised that the team's success was a gift to the entire nation, saying, “They don’t want to be successful just for themselves. They want to share that success with the country.”
A Night of Unforgettable Goals
The manager was left in awe of the quality of goals that sealed the historic victory. He marvelled at Scott McTominay's overhead kick, calling it the best he had ever seen, only for it to be potentially upstaged by McLean's incredible long-range effort. “When Kenny hit it, I thought: ‘What are you doing?’ but when I saw it in flight, I thought: ‘That’s going to go in!’” Clarke recalled with a smile.
Captain Andy Robertson encapsulated the spirit of the squad, describing the match as one of the craziest he has ever experienced. “That just sums up this squad. Never say die, we just keep going right to the end,” the Liverpool defender stated. “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. This group of boys and staff, it’s the best group I’ve ever been involved in.”
The victory marks a monumental achievement for Scottish football, ensuring the Tartan Army will be travelling to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, with manager Steve Clarke having now masterminded qualification for Euro 2020, Euro 2024, and now World Cup 2026.
