Scotland stuns Denmark with late rally

Injury-time wonder-goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean handed Scotland a stunning 4-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Spain also booked its ticket with a 2-2 draw against Turkiye.

Belgium thumped Liechtenstein 7-0 to reach next year's tournament, as Switzerland and Austria ground out draws to punch their tickets to North America.

Scotland's late show in Glasgow means Steve Clarke's side has qualified for the global soccer showpiece for the first time since 1998.

Level at 2-2 as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Denmark was set to advance to the World Cup as Group C winner until Tierney curled in an exquisite finish from distance three minutes into injury time.

McLean then put the match beyond doubt in the 98th, when he lobbed the ball from the halfway line over Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who was well off his line.

"That just sums up this squad," captain Andy Robertson told the BBC. "Never say die. We just keep going right to the end. And in one of the craziest games, we put the country through it, but I'm sure it's worth it. We're going to the World Cup."

Earlier, Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay had given the host a third-minute lead with a towering overhead kick.

McTominay's clubmate Rasmus Hojlund leveled for Denmark from the spot just shy of the hour, before his side was reduced to 10 men when Rasmus Kristensen picked up a second booking.

An anxious Hampden Park let out a roar of ecstasy and relief in the 78th minute as Lawrence Shankland turned in from close range.

But, Denmark struck back again through Patrick Dorgu four minutes later, before Tierney and McLean stole the headlines.

Denmark will now be in Thursday's draw for the European playoffs, which will take place next March.

Switzerland will appear in a sixth successive World Cup finals after drawing 1-1 in Pristina against Kosovo.

With the Swiss needing to avoid a defeat by six goals to seal top spot, they rarely looked troubled as Ruben Vargas handed them the lead in the 47th minute, before Florent Muslija equalized in the 74th.

'Bittersweet'

Euro 2024 winner Spain found itself in a similar situation in Seville against Turkiye, but also never looked like losing by seven goals, which would have sent the visitor through in its place.

Dani Olmo fired Spain ahead but Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan struck for Turkiye, as the host conceded its first goals in the qualification process.

But Mikel Oyarzabal hit back after the hour to extend Spain's unbeaten run.

"We wanted to finish with a win and a clean sheet, so it's bittersweet... but we're happy to qualify for the World Cup," Olmo told TVE.

Michael Gregoritsch bundled home a 77th-minute leveler to snatch a 1-1 draw for Austria against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which sealed Ralf Rangnick's team a first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

"I can't believe it. We made it! I have been trying to reach the World Cup for 18 years. Finally now, at the end of my career, we got there. I can't wait," 36-year-old Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic said, according to UEFA.com.

Haris Tabakovic's early strike had looked as if it might be enough for the visitor to snatch first place from under Austria's noses, until Gregoritsch's equalizer condemned Bosnia to the playoffs.

Belgium, semifinalist in 2018, cruised into the draw for the World Cup with a Jeremy Doku-inspired hammering of Liechtenstein.

The Manchester City winger grabbed a brace in Liege, as Charles De Ketelaere also netted twice and Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout.

In Group J's other match, second-placed Wales was also in seven heaven, defeating North Macedonia 7-1, with Harry Wilson scoring a hattrick from set-pieces.

However, North Macedonia can still look forward to Thursday's playoff draw, securing a place courtesy of its Nations League performance.

Romania, which beat San Marino by the same scoreline, will also have the chance to reach the World Cup thanks to the Nations League after finishing third in Group H.

Sweden, which picked up just its second point of the qualifying campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Slovenia, advanced in the same manner.

The 16-team playoffs will allow an additional four teams from Europe to qualify for next year's finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

AFP