Scotland 4–2 Denmark: A Night of World Cup Glory at Hampden

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·19 November 2025

Scotland 4–2 Denmark: A Night of World Cup Glory at Hampden

On a freezing cold Glasgow evening that will forever be etched into Scottish football folklore, Scotland defeated Denmark 4–2 at a pulsating Hampden Park to secure their place at the 2025 World Cup Finals as the Tartan Army’s taps came aff!

A Scotland Fan celebrates after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Twenty-seven years of frustrations, near-misses, heartbreak and hard-luck stories were finally swept aside as Steve Clarke’s side delivered the kind of performance that generations of Scotland supporters have dreamed of witnessing again. For the first time since 1998, a Scotland team will walk out at a World Cup—and they did it in breathtaking style, scoring three world class goals in the process.

OneFootball Videos

Hampden Park, Scotland v Denmark ahead of kick-off. Photo The Celtic Star

Hampden was electric from an incredible rendition of Flower of Scotland and at the first whistle, a mixture of belief and nervous energy electrified the old stadium as the Tartan Army dared to hope this would finally be the night Scotland ended their long exile from football’s biggest stage.

Denmark though are fine side and needed just a draw to confine Scotland to the lottery of the play-offs next March, and with their reputation for disciplined structure and tournament know-how, the visitors arrived as formidable opponents. But Scotland’s relentless pressing, bravery in possession and clinical finishing stunned the visitors from the outset.

The opener came early, and it came with a sprinkle of Scottish magic. It was perhaps the best goal Scotland had ever scored at Hampden Park but by the end of this glory night it was joined by two other contenders, the decisive one from Celtic’s Kieran Tierney.

Scott McTominay of Scotland scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Scott McTominay’s overhead kick from a Ben Doak cross was sensational and in the opening few minutes put the Scots on their way but that clock became the enemy as Denmark had an hour and a half to score and they only needed a draw.

Scott McTominay of Scotland celebrates his team’s fourth goal scored by Kenny McLean of Scotland (not pictured) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Continues on the next page…

Scotland suffered for much of that first half as the Danes controlled possession and camped around the Scotland box but Steve Clarke’s side, who held the Danes to a goalless draw in Copenhagen in the opening match of the qualifying group, held the nerve and went back into the dressing room with their lead intact. Just 45 minutes separated Scotland from a place in the World Cup Finals.

A curious negative on this night worthy of a mention on The Celtic Star at this stage was the relentless booing of Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is seems was targeting for this disgraceful behaviour for one reason, and one reason only – he plays for Celtic.

Maybe a sectarian side of the tartan army or perhaps it’s just Celtic’s relentless success in the 21st century that has broken them at club football level? Probably a mixture of the two, a little bit of Scotland’s Shame casting a shadow over an otherwise perfect night for the country.

Scotland’s lead didn’t last much longer. Twelve minutes into the second half Scotland captain on the edge of the Scotland penalty area stuck out a leg and after a VAR check the penalty was given, well taken by Rasmus Hojlund and the Danes were level. Scotland were staring that place on the playoffs in the face as the colourful Danish corner of Hampden celebrated.

Scotland’s first corner of the match didn’t arrive until 78 minutes, an indication on how the Danes had dominated possession. By this time Rasmus Kristensen had picked up a rather harsh second yellow card, something that VAR isn’t able to look at, and the visitors were down to ten men.

Steve Clarke’s side certainly made the most of the corner which was whipped in and amid a second of confusion the ball reached substitute Lawrence Shankland, the biggest poacher in the Scottish game, and the slightest of touches from point blank from the Hearts captain was all that was required to give Scotland a 2-1 lead.

But Denmark, as expected, fought back and the Scottish World Cup dream was dealt a painful blow when Partick Dorgu’s back post effort evade John McGinn’s desperate attempt to block and the Dane’s were level. It looked like another of glorious Scottish failure was on the cards as Steve Clarke looked to his bench to try to grab a winner.

Kieran Tierney of Scotland celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The regulation 90 minutes were up and it was going to be a stoppage time dramatic finish if Scotland had to do it. Hickey, just back from a long term injury, couldn’t continue so was replaced by Celtic’s left-back Kieran Tierney to play on the right for Scotland – needs must and all that.

Yet that enforced call changed destiny for Scotland as amid Scottish pressure the ball fell at KT’s feet at the edge of the area on that right hand side. The penalty area was packed full of Danish defenders, Kasper Schmeichel is a top shotstopper but the left-footer on the right unleashed the perfect shot that curled into the corner of the Danish net going past Tierney’s Celtic teammate to give Scotland an incredible 3-2 lead on an unforgettable night at Hampden.

Continues on the next page…

That was that you think? Not at all, the referee added some extra time to the added on time due to Danish delays so the Scottish nation had to suffer a little longer. Surely there could be no more drama? Haud ma’ coat said Kenny McLean. With everyone in the Scottish box bar Kasper Schmeichel who was well out of his area covering for the Danish defence who were all pushing forward looking for a third equaliser that would take them to the World Cup, McLean won possession midway inside his own half.

Kenny McLean of Scotland celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

A nation willed him to drive for the Danish corner flag but maybe he didn’t fancy the run. Instead he looked up, saw where Kasper was standing and from inside his own half to aim and floated the balll over the fast retreating Schmieichel and Scotland exploded. Not just at Hampden but in pubs, clubs and living rooms across the country.

Scotland had done it in sensational style. The final whistle was blown and Scotland hand beaten Denmark – a very fine Denmark side – by four goals to two – and with three of the best ever goals ever seen at Hampden Park, the spiritual home of football.

Scotland Fans celebrate after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

When the final whistle sounded, players collapsed to the turf in exhaustion and joy. Clarke embraced his staff, and the Tartan Army—many in tears—sang “We’ll Be Coming Down the Road” with a World Cup joy that has been dormant for far too long.

For a generation too young to remember France ‘98, this is a watershed moment; for older supporters, it is vindication after decades of near misses. Scotland are no longer outsiders peering into football’s grandest party—they are honoured, respected and invited guests once again.

John McGinn of Scotland celebrates after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Beyond the emotion and symbolism, qualification marks a turning point for Scottish football. A week after some Sky Sports non-entity ridiculed the Scottish game on a channel that Scottish supporters (unlike the English) pay in more than our clubs take out, Scotland rose to the challenge to be a nation again that qualifies for the World Cup finals.

The players have restored belief, and the manager has restored identity.

Lyndon Dykes and Andy Robertson of Scotland celebrate after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

More than anything, though, the victory embodies a simple truth: Scotland once again belongs on the world stage and we are going to Canada, USA or Mexico on merit as winners of a tough group were we were third seeds. For the first time since 1998, they will be there again—heads high, tartan scarves raised, and ready to write a new chapter in Scottish football history.