Scotland 4-2 Denmark – We had a dream and our dream came true

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The Celtic Star

·19 de noviembre de 2025

Scotland 4-2 Denmark – We had a dream and our dream came true

Scotland’s dramatic 4–2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park last night has earned us a long-awaited return to the World Cup, their first appearance since 1998…

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)

Amid an atmosphere at Hampden that will be difficult to top anywhere in European football for the rest of this season, it was inevitably a Celtic star who delivered the decisive and defining moment.

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Deep into stoppage time, Hoops left-back Kieran Tierney unleashed a remarkable effort that confirmed Scotland’s qualification for the 2026 finals.

In a fitting twist, his strike flew past his Celtic teammate Kasper Schmeichel, leaving the Great Dane blameless but crucially for Scotland, also helpless. Unfortunately for Kasper, he and his international colleagues will have to go through the playoffs in March to have any hope of reaching USA, Canada and Mexico. Theoretically, it is still well within their grasp given they will be a pot 1 team for those two matches and we certainly wish them well.

The game unfolded in a whirlwind of intensity and drama, one that will live long in the memory. For someone who has followed the national team religiously over the years and part of the generation that has yet to see Scotland play at a World Cup, last night is about as good as it gets for supporting Scotland.

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)

Steve Clarke’s side started with the urgency of a team fully aware of what was at stake and within moments Napoli icon Scott McTominay ignited Hampden with a stunning overhead kick.

However, the visitors responded pushing Scotland back for long spells of the first half and into the early moments after the interval and eventually equalised from the penalty spot.

Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland put Scotland back in front, only for Patrick Dorgu to respond and bring the score to 2–2. The fear of another heartbreaking near-miss crept in. It was a scenario Scotland fans had lived through before – the kind that so often ended badly. Look no further than the World Cup playoffs back in 2022 against Ukraine. Or the most recent Euros against Hungary.

Kieran Tierney celebrates with Steve Clarke 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)

However, it was KT that rose to the occasion just when Scotland needed a hero. It was his curling shot into Kasper’s far right corner that has officially carved his name into Scottish football folklore. An absolute beauty.

Kenny McLean made it 4–2 with the last kick of the game – scoring from his own half setting off wild celebrations around the ground. Three of Scotland’s four goals were top class.

Yet it was Tierney’s world-class strike that will be remembered above all – the strike that carried Scotland to the World Cup, a moment that seemed destined for him after a rough few years in his professional career.

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)

The Tartan Army are World Cup–bound at last, having battled through every obstacle with trademark Scottish drama – nothing is never easy.

Congratulations Kieran, Tony Ralston and the rest of the Scotland team including many ex-Celts. Also, commiserations Kasper but we can still see you next summer if you navigate those playoffs. Football eh? Also, another victory at Hampden for Steve Clarke and his Scotland Heroes.

We had a dream, and our dream came true so Bonnie Scotland we will follow you and the way to the World Cup Finals in summer 2026 in Canada, United States and Mexico. No Scotland, no party!

Conor Spence

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