MANCHESTER, England – Scotland captain Andrew Robertson said he struggled to contain his emotions in the hours before his side’s decisive 4-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday, a result that confirmed the country’s place at the 2026 World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The Liverpool full-back, 31, revealed that the achievement was tempered by thoughts of former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July alongside his brother, André Silva. Robertson said the pair had long spoken about the dream of competing at a World Cup together.
“I think I’ve hidden it well, but I’ve been in bits,” Robertson told BBC Scotland. “With the age I’m at, this was my last chance of a World Cup and I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today.”
Scotland sealed qualification at Hampden Park with goals from Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, surviving a chaotic second half as Denmark pushed to overturn the deficit. The victory capped a strong qualifying campaign under manager Steve Clarke, who has prioritised defensive cohesion and late-game resilience.
Robertson said Jota’s absence weighed heavily throughout the day. The Portugal forward missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, and their conversations often centred on what it would mean to reach the tournament together. “We always discussed what it would be like going to this World Cup,” Robertson said. “I know he will be smiling over me tonight.”
Since joining Liverpool from Hull City in 2017, Robertson has amassed major honours, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League, but he described Scotland’s win as “one of the greatest nights of my life.”
He credited Clarke’s pre-match message for helping the squad maintain composure. “The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable,” Robertson said. “He told us of the memories we have made and asked us to make another one. To do it for everybody, it will go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.”
Scotland’s return to the World Cup comes at a moment when the squad’s core — built around players in their prime across the Premier League and European leagues — appears settled. The qualification marks another milestone for Clarke’s tenure and offers Robertson the chance to end his international career on football’s biggest stage.
“We kept going right to the end,” Robertson added. “It was one of the craziest games of football, but it was all worth it because we are going to the World Cup — and I still can’t quite believe it.”
