Fans share delight after Scotland reach first men’s World Cup since 1998

Fans have shared their elation after Scotland qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Scotland sealed their place at next summer’s tournament with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Tuesday evening.

First Minister John Swinney was among those to pay tribute.

Posting on social media, he said: “Fabulously well done. Such a joy to watch such an amazing, spirited performance. Respect @ScotlandNT.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the Scottish Government is “extremely proud of our team”, and she added on BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday: “It is an absolutely momentous win, tremendous moment for our country, and I know everybody is pinching themselves this morning, asking if it was all real.”

Fans travelled from around the country to watch the game and the streets around Hampden were flooded with Tartan Army supporters.

Scott McTominay scored the first goal with an overhead kick before the Danes equalised.

Substitute Lawrence Shankland then restored Scotland’s lead in the 78th minute following a corner, only for the Danes to equalise again.

However, in six minutes of added time, Kieran Tierney scored a strike from 25 yards while Kenny McLean then scored a goal from the halfway line.

That left Scotland top of the group and straight into next summer’s World Cup finals in North America – ending a 28-year-wait on the global stage.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar posted on social media: “Congratulations Scotland! We are going to the World Cup!”, while Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay wrote: “Never in doubt Scotland.”

Tennis star Sir Andy Murray also took to social media, writing: “Yessssssssssssssssssss! Never in doubt Scotland. North America here we come.”

Other football fans also shared their delight at the result.

The Tartan Army Group posted on X “We’re going to the World Cup”, and also said: “No Scotland, no party!”

One fan posted: “One of the greatest nights in Scottish football. A game bookended with two of the most spectacular goals ever scored by Scotland players. Happy days!!!”

Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised the Tartan Army for their support during the match.

He said: “The crowd were fantastic. I asked them before the game, but they don’t always listen to me.

“But this time they listened and they were great.

“Obviously, we gave them a great start with Scott McTominay’s goal, that got them excited, got them engaged in the game.

“But even when the penalty went in immediately, the crowd were behind us again.

“When it goes 2-1, they are right behind us. When it goes 2-2, I heard them again and that was really important, right in the last part of the game the crowd was still with us.

“Everybody was in the stadium, nobody left because they could smell magic.”