Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean scored spectacular injury-time goals to give Scotland a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday, sealing their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Spain also confirmed their spot after a 2-2 draw with Turkey. Belgium joined them with a 7-0 demolition of Liechtenstein, while Switzerland and Austria both secured their places after picking up draws. All five nations will feature at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. Scotland’s late surge in Glasgow ensured Steve Clarke’s team reached the World Cup for the first time since 1998. With the match tied at 2-2 beyond the 90th minute, Denmark were on course to progress as Group C winners until Tierney curled in a superb long-range strike three minutes into stoppage time. McLean settled the contest deep into added time, lofting the ball over Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line in the 98th minute after spotting the Danish goalkeeper far 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 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.” Scotland made the perfect start when Scott McTominay scored with an overhead kick in the third minute. Rasmus Hojlund equalised for Denmark from the penalty spot just before the hour, but the visitors were reduced to 10 men soon after when Rasmus Kristensen received a second yellow card. Hampden Park erupted again in the 78th minute as Lawrence Shankland tapped in from close range, only for Patrick Dorgu to level four minutes later. Tierney and McLean then delivered the decisive blows. Denmark now head to Thursday’s draw for the European play-offs, scheduled for March. Switzerland booked their sixth straight World Cup appearance after a 1-1 draw in Pristina against Kosovo. Needing only to avoid a heavy defeat, they stayed in control for most of the match. Ruben Vargas put them ahead early in the second half, before Florent Muslija equalised. Spain, the Euro 2024 champions, also needed to avoid a seven-goal loss in Seville against Turkey and never looked in danger. Dani Olmo opened the scoring, though Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan found the net for Turkey to hand Spain their first goals conceded in qualifying. Mikel Oyarzabal equalised after the hour to preserve Spain’s unbeaten run. “We wanted to finish with a win and a clean sheet, so it’s bitter-sweet… but we’re happy to qualify for the World Cup,” Olmo told TVE. Austria snatched a place at their first World Cup in 28 years after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanks to Michael Gregoritsch’s 77th-minute equaliser. Haris Tabakovic’s early strike had threatened to upset Ralf Rangnick’s side before the leveller sent Bosnia into the play-offs. “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,” said 36-year-old Marko Arnautovic, via UEFA.com. Belgium, semi-finalists in 2018, eased into the World Cup draw with a dominant win in Liege. Jeremy Doku scored twice, Charles De Ketelaere added a brace of his own and Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net. Wales matched that scoreline in Group J, beating North Macedonia 7-1, with Harry Wilson recording a hat-trick from set pieces. North Macedonia will still feature in the play-offs thanks to their Nations League ranking. Romania, who defeated San Marino 7-0, will also head to the play-offs after finishing third in Group H, and Sweden secured their own spot with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia. The European play-offs will feature 16 teams and offer four additional berths for next year’s World Cup in North America.
