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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jamie Braidwood

How Scotland combined the sublime and ridiculous to make World Cup history

Ah, lads. My guys. Scotland’s men have qualified for a first World Cup in 28 years, most of my lifetime, and all I can think is how, how have you done it in this way? In the history of Hampden Park, never before have there been the scenes that greeted Kenny McLean’s strike from the halfway line, or Kieran Tierney’s left-footed curler that sent a deprived nation through its most glorious night in a generation.

How indeed. Scotland, let’s be honest, deserved what came for them when Denmark’s Patrick Dorgu equalised for the 10-man visitors in the 81st minute. If you can’t see out such an advantage, then you don’t deserve a place at the World Cup – or so they said. Until Steve Clarke’s side ripped up the definition of glorious failure, reminding us all of the team that has now qualified for a third major international tournament, in itself an unprecedented return.

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