Tierney and McLean scored two jaw-dropping injury-time objectives to seal a 4–2 win over Denmark
PARIS:
Harm-time wonder-goals by Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean handed Scotland a surprising 4-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday to qualify them for the 2026 World Cup, whereas Spain additionally booked their ticket with a 2-2 draw in opposition to Turkey.
Belgium thumped Liechtenstein 7-0 to succeed in subsequent 12 months’s event as Switzerland and Austria floor out attracts to safe their locations in america, Canada and Mexico.
Scotland’s late present in Glasgow means Steve Clarke’s aspect have certified for the worldwide footballing showpiece for the primary time since 1998.
Degree at 2-2 because the clock ticked previous 90, Denmark have been set to advance to the World Cup as Group C winners till Tierney curled in an beautiful end from distance three minutes into damage time.
McLean then put the match past doubt as he lifted the ball over Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who was effectively off his line, from the midway line on 98 minutes.
“That simply sums up this squad,” captain Andy Robertson informed the BBC. “By no means say die. We simply preserve going proper to the top and one of many craziest video games.
“We put the nation by way of it, however I am positive it is value it. We’ll the World Cup.”
Earlier, Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay had given the hosts a third-minute lead with a towering overhead kick.
McTominay’s clubmate Rasmus Hojlund levelled for Denmark from the spot simply shy of the hour, earlier than his aspect went all the way down to 10 as Rasmus Kristensen picked up a second reserving.
An anxious Hampden Park set free a roar of ecstasy and reduction within the 78th minute as Lawrence Shankland turned in from shut vary.
However Denmark struck again once more by way of Patrick Dorgu 4 minutes later earlier than Tierney and McLean stole the headlines.
Denmark will now be in Thursday’s draw for the European play-offs, which is able to happen subsequent March.
Switzerland will seem in a sixth successive World Cup finals after drawing 1-1 in Pristina in opposition to Kosovo.
With the Swiss needing to keep away from a defeat by six objectives to seal prime spot, they hardly ever seemed troubled as Ruben Vargas handed them the lead within the forty seventh minute earlier than Florent Muslija equalised.
‘Bitter-sweet’
Euro 2024 winners Spain discovered themselves in an identical scenario in Seville in opposition to Turkey but additionally by no means seemed like taking place to the seven-goal loss that might have despatched the guests by way of of their place.
Dani Olmo fired Spain forward however Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan struck for Turkey because the hosts conceded their first objectives within the qualification course of.
However Mikel Oyarzabal hit again after the hour to increase Spain’s unbeaten run.
“We needed to complete with a win and a clear sheet, so it is bitter-sweet… however we’re completely happy to qualify for the World Cup,” Olmo informed TVE.
Michael Gregoritsch bundled dwelling a 77th-minute leveller to grab a 1-1 draw for Austria in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which sealed Ralf Rangnick’s staff a primary World Cup look in 28 years.
“I am unable to imagine it; we made it! I’ve been making an attempt to succeed in the World Cup for 18 years. Lastly now, on the finish of my profession, we acquired there. I am unable to wait,” 36-year-old Austrian ahead Marko Arnautovic stated, based on UEFA.com.
Haris Tabakovic’s early strike had seemed as if it could be sufficient for the guests to grab first place from beneath Austria’s noses till Gregoritsch condemned Bosnia to the play-offs.
Belgium, semi-finalists in 2018, cruised into the draw for the World Cup with a Jeremy Doku-inspired hammering of Liechtenstein.
The Manchester Metropolis winger grabbed a brace in Liege as Charles De Ketelaere additionally netted twice and Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers accomplished the rout.
In Group J’s different match, second-placed Wales additionally ran up seven objectives as they beat North Macedonia 7-1 with Harry Wilson scoring a hat-trick of set-piece objectives.
North Macedonia can, nonetheless, stay up for a play-off place courtesy of their Nations League efficiency.
Romania, who beat San Marino by the identical scoreline, may even have the prospect to succeed in the World Cup due to the Nations League after ending third in Group H.
Sweden, who picked up simply their second level of the qualifying marketing campaign with a 1-1 dwelling draw in opposition to Slovenia, superior in the identical method.
The 16-team European play-offs will permit a further 4 groups from the continent to make it to North America subsequent 12 months.
