The Tartan Military secured computerized qualification to subsequent 12 months’s finals on an emotional night at Hampden Park
Scotland captain Andy Robertson admitted he “couldn’t get Diogo Jota out of my head” after Scotland ended a 28-year wait to succeed in a males’s World Cup finals, including that his late Liverpool teammate could be “someplace smiling over me tonight”.
Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 in an enthralling encounter at Hampden Park to clinch computerized qualification to soccer’s biggest present for the primary time since 1998.
Scott McTominay set Steve Clarke’s males on their approach with a spectacular overhead kick contained in the opening 4 minutes.
The guests hit again and deservedly levelled by means of Rasmus Hojlund’s penalty earlier than Brian Riemer’s males had been decreased to 10 males when Rasmus Kristensen obtained a second reserving.
Substitute Lawrence Shankland restored the lead for Scotland – who knew solely victory would safe prime spot within the group – however once more they had been pegged again when Patrick Dorgu fired in with 9 minutes remaining.
Nonetheless, targets from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean in stoppage time ensured it might be one in every of Scotland’s best hours because the Tartan Military booked their place at subsequent summer time’s showpiece occasion.
After the sport, an emotional Robertson admitted Jota, who died in a automotive accident alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in June, was firmly in his ideas.
“[It was] one of many craziest video games of soccer,” Robetson stated.
“We’ve actually put the nation by means of it, however I’m positive it’s price it: we’re going to the World Cup and I can’t consider it.
“I feel I hid it nicely however at the moment I’ve been in bits. I knew this was my final likelihood of going to the World Cup. I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head at the moment. We spoke a lot concerning the World Cup.
“He missed out final time due to harm, I missed out as a result of Scotland didn’t qualify and we all the time mentioned what it might be like. I do know he’ll be someplace smiling over me tonight. I couldn’t get him out of my head all day.”
The 31-year-old additionally revealed that Clarke had given a stirring speech to the gamers earlier than kick-off and admitted the victory was “one of many biggest nights of my life”.
Robertson stated: “I’m simply so glad it’s ended up this manner. [To the interviewer Kelly Cates] I can’t wait to get right down to Liverpool and share a wine together with your dad.
“The supervisor’s speech earlier than the sport was unbelievable. He went by means of the moments we’ve had collectively. Serbia was probably the greatest nights of our lives, when the world was in a useless unusual place. Ukraine right here was one of many hardest.
Then he stated, ‘Let’s make it one other one.’ He went right into a bit about his life as nicely. The lads had been fairly emotional. To do it for him, the employees and all of the households – it’s one of many biggest nights of my life.”
