FOOTBALL

Scotland seal World Cup berth, Wales heading to play-offs

ovanews 12 months ago 2 min read

Scotland have reached the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998 after Kieran Tierney scored a dramatic late winner against Denmark.

The ten-man Danes appeared to be on their way to North America with game level in stoppage time, until Tierney fired in a terrific strike from the edge of the box to put them 3-2 up.

Kenny McLean sealed the victory when he caught Kasper Schmeichel off his line, lobbing the keeper from miles out to secure top spot in Group C.

Scotland seal World Cup berth, Wales heading to play-offs

Meanwhile in Cardiff, Wales battered North Macedonia 7-1 in Cardiff to overtake their Group J rivals on the final matchday and finish second.

The Dragons raced into a two-goal lead following a penalty from Harry Wilson and a strike from David Brooks in quick succession.

The Macedonians halved the deficit almost immediately, but Craig Bellamy’s men hit back with a vengeance. Wilson ended up with a hat-trick, which included a second spot kick, while Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Nathan Broadhead also got on the scoresheet.

Wales would have qualified for the play-offs regardless of the final result thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League, but now they enter the bracket in pot two as opposed to pot four.

16 teams will enter the play-off draw, which will take place this Thursday at noon in Switzerland. The mini-tournament consists of a semi-final and a final; each round is a single leg.

Wales will play their semi-final tie at home against one of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo or the Republic of Ireland. The play-offs will take place in march next year.

Read – Five of the greatest footballers who never played in a World Cup