Scotland, Spain, Belgium and Austria qualify for 2026 World Cup
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Scotland's Kenny McLean celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Lyndon Dykes.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Scotland qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, defeating Denmark 4-2 with late goals from Tierney and McLean at Hampden Park.
- Spain secured their spot after a 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville, while Belgium hammered Liechtenstein 7-0 to confirm their berth.
- Austria qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, topping Group H.
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GLASGOW, Scotland - Scotland reached the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 in thrilling fashion, as stoppage time goals by Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean secured a nerve-shredding 4-2 victory over Denmark at a rocking Hampden Park on Nov 18.
When Patrick Dorgu brought 10-man Denmark level for the second time in the 81st minute it seemed the visitors would secure the point they needed to top Group C and book a place at next year’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico.
But Tierney struck a superb shot past Kasper Schmeichel in third minute of stoppage time and then, with the goalkeeper up in attack at the other end of the pitch, McLean launched a long-range effort into an empty goal to spark delirious scenes.
Scott McTominay gave Scotland the lead with an overhead kick in the third minute.
But Rasmus Hojlund equalised with a penalty in the 57th shortly before the visitors had Rasmus Kristensen sent off.
Lawrence Shankland then put the Scots back in front.
Nervy Spain draw
In Seville, Spain secured their place after a nervy 2-2 draw with Turkey, finishing unbeaten at the top of Group E despite being given a genuine scare by their resilient visitors.
The European champions took an early lead through Dani Olmo in the fourth minute but Turkey, who needed an almost impossible seven-goal victory to claim the group, managed to equalise through Deniz Gul in the 42nd minute.
Turkey then stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a Salih Ozcan strike from the edge of the box.
However, Mikel Oyarzabal levelled the match eight minutes later to avoid what would have been Spain’s first home defeat in a qualifier and Turkey had to settle for a place in the playoffs for the 2026 finals in North America.
Midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal scores Spain’s second goal.
PHOTO: AFP
Belgium unbeaten
Belgium hammered Liechtenstein 7-0 to confirm their berth, finishing their campaign unbeaten.
A fifth victory in eight games gave Belgium a total of 18 points at the top of Group J, two more than runners-up Wales, and earned them a place.
Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere both scored twice and there were goals for Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers with the home side netting four times in a furious seven-minute, second-half spell.
Belgium's Jeremy Doku scores their second goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Belgium will be competing at their 15th World Cup finals, having twice reached the semis.
Austria snatch equaliser
Austria qualified after snatching a 77th minute equaliser through Michael Gregoritsch against visitors Bosnia and Herzegovina to earn a 1-1 draw and top Group H.
It will be Austria’s first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.
Bosnia, who took a 12th minute lead with Haris Tabakovic’s header, finish second in the group, two points behind on 17, and go into a playoff in March for a spot at the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the US and Canada. REUTERS
