Scotland QUALIFY for the World Cup: Kenny McLean’s stunning halfway-line strike seals thrilling victory over Denmark in clash featuring VAR controversy, a red card and Scott McTominay’s overhead kick

Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean struck two stoppage-time goals as Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 to clinch top spot in Group C and qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

The result ended a 27-year wait for Scotland to return to the tournament, securing automatic qualification with their most significant victory of a generation.

McLean’s stunning goal from the halfway line in the 99th minute started the celebrations, the midfielder lifting a precise finish over Kasper Schmeichel as Denmark pushed bodies forward and chased a third equaliser.

It followed Tierney’s pinpoint strike in the 93rd minute on a night defined by stunning goals and constant swings in momentum. 

The match began with Scott McTominay’s outrageous overhead kick, before Denmark levelled through Rasmus Hojlund and Lawrence Shankland restored the advantage. 

Patrick Dorgu equalised again, only for Tierney and McLean to settle it late as Hampden erupted.

Kenny McLean’s wonder strike from the halfway line sealed Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup

Steve Clarke’s men came into the match needing to win to leapfrog Denmark at the top of Group C

The win sealed Scotland’s return to the World Cup for the first time since France 98 and continues the progress seen under Clarke, who has already led his side to back-to-back European Championships.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who conceded the penalty that led to Denmark’s first equaliser, described the occasion as one of the ‘craziest’ he has been involved in.  

‘We are going to the World Cup, I can’t believe it,’ he told the BBC. ‘This could be the last chance I have of getting to the World Cup. 

‘We’ve spoken so much about it, what it would be like and I just couldn’t get it out of my head all day.

‘I can’t wait to get back to Liverpool and share a red wine with your dad!

‘It’s amazing. The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He went through the big moments down the years, like Serbia and Ukraine.

‘Then he said, let’s make it another one. The lads were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and our families…one of the greatest nights of my life.’

Scotland entered the final Group C fixture knowing only a win would secure qualification, having been handed an unexpected lifeline at the weekend.

Scott McTominay opened the scoring with an incredible acrobatic effort dispatched into the bottom corner

Their 3-2 defeat to Greece in Piraeus appeared to end their hopes, but Belarus’s shock draw in Copenhagen kept the group alive and shifted everything to Hampden. 

McTominay opened the scoring after three minutes with a spectacular overhead kick from Ben Gannon-Doak’s cross, before the winger was forced off injured in tears just after the 20-minute mark. 

Denmark levelled early in the second half when Hojlund converted from the spot after Robertson conceded a penalty.

The visitors were then reduced to ten men on 61 minutes when Rasmus Kristensen received a soft second yellow card for a foul on John McGinn, a decision that left Denmark angered and shifted momentum back towards the hosts. 

Scotland would have been forgiven for thinking it was mission accomplished when substitute Shankland restored the lead in the 78th minute, turning in Lewis Ferguson’s corner. 

But just four minutes later, United defender Dorgu grabbed the Dane’s second equaliser with a calm finish into the near corner of Craig Gordon. 

However, in the 93rd minute, Kierney added his entry to the evening’s unofficial ‘goal of the night contest’, stroking home the ball from the edge of the area. 

Minutes later, McLean settled it with a stunning effort from the halfway line as Denmark pushed forward. 

More to follow.