We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Scotland's Lawrence Shankland celebrates scoring Alamy Stock Photo

Scotland had their own Troy Parrott moment to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998

Kieran Tierney’s magnificent strike from distance was in the third minute of added time

European 2026 World Cup qualifying results on Tuesday:

Group B

  • Kosovo 1 Switzerland 1
  • Sweden 1 Slovenia 1 

Group C

  • Belarus 0 Greece 0
  • Scotland 4 Denmark 2

Group E

  • Bulgaria 2 Georgia 1
  • Spain 2 Turkey 2

Group H

  • Austria 1 Bosnia and Hercegovina 1
  • Romania 7 San Marino 1

Group I

  • Belgium 7 Liechtenstein 0
  • Wales 7 North Macedonia 1

SCOTLAND WILL play in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years after two injury-time goals sealed a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday, while Spain also booked their place at the 2026 finals.

Steve Clarke’s Scotland got the win they needed to qualify from Group C in a thrilling match in Glasgow, thanks to brilliant late goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.

Elsewhere, European champions Spain, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland all also booked tickets to next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada on the final night of European qualifying.

Hampden Park erupted in just the third minute as Scott McTominay scored a sensational overhead kick to put Scotland ahead.

Denmark levelled before the hour mark through a Rasmus Hojlund penalty, but were reduced to 10 men when Rasmus Kristensen was sent off.

Lawrence Shankland thought he had stabbed Scotland into the finals, but Patrick Dorgu appeared to have broken the home fans’ hearts late on.

Up stepped Tierney, though, with a magnificent strike from distance in the third minute of added time, before McLean scored from near the halfway line.

Michael Gregoritsch’s 78th-minute goal also sent Ralf Rangnick’s Austria to their first World Cup since 1998 in a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Spain only needed to avoid defeat by seven goals against Turkey to confirm a place at a 13th successive World Cup and goals from Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal gave them a 2-2 draw in Seville in Group E.

Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere both scored twice as Belgium booked their place in the finals by thumping Liechtenstein 7-0.

Switzerland extended their run of consecutive World Cup appearances to six with a 1-1 draw against Kosovo in Pristina.

Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.

Author
View 38 comments
Close
38 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds