Scotland have ended the long wait for a return to the World Cup finals after defeating Denmark in incredible fashion to win their qualifying group.
Kieran Tierney’s injury-time goal put Scotland 3-2 ahead but victory and a 4-2 victory was sealed by a long-range screamer from Kenny McLean that sparked jubilant celebrations at a sold-out Hampden Park.
The men’s side will now play at a first World Cup since 1998 when they compete in North America next summer at what is to be the biggest tournament yet, with 48 teams taking part.
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Victory over the Danes means Steve Clarke’s side top Group C, successfully qualifying after six failed campaigns, and going through as group winners for the first time since 1982.
The team’s success also marks a personal achievement for Scotland head coach Clarke, who becomes the first man to guide the team to three major finals, having previous taking the team to successive European Championships.
Automatic qualification had looked beyond Scotland’s reach when the team lost 3-2 to Greece in their penultimate game on Saturday but Denmark’s shock draw at Belarus kept hope alive.
The results set up a deciding game at Hampden, with only a win being good enough for Scotland, and any outcome sending the team into the play-offs to try and rescue their chances of making it.
Denmark will take that route now as group runners-up, while the Tartan Army will look ahead to the showpiece World Cup draw on December 5, when Scotland will learn who they will face next year.
The tournament is to be played across Canada, USA and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, with each group playing their games in one geographical area.
Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, France, Germany, England and Netherlands are among the sides who have already booked their place in the finals. For the first time this century, Scotland will be joining the elite in the game’s biggest competition.
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