Fans stunned by Denmark captain ‘Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’ post match interview statement after 4:2 defeats – it’s trending
Scotland completed one of the most extraordinary nights in their footballing history as they defeated Denmark 4 ;2 at Hampden Park to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a match overflowing with drama, emotion and individual brilliance, Steve Clarkes side fought through Danish comebacks, a red card, and their own nerves to book a place at the tournament for the first time in 28 years.
The atmosphere inside Hampden was electric long before kickoff, with the Tartan Army sensing the possibility of a historic breakthrough. Scotland needed a win to qualify automatically; anything less would have condemned them to another nerve shredding playoff. Denmark, group leaders coming into the night, required only a draw. The stage was set for a high stakes encounter, and it delivered beyond all expectation.
Scotland exploded out of the blocks, scoring within the opening three minutes. Scott McTominay reacted brilliantly to an awkward ball in the box, adjusting his body before launching an overhead kick into the Danish net. The goal sent shockwaves through the visitors and sent Hampden into raptures. “One of the craziest games of football,” captain Andy Robertson later said, describing the atmosphere as “magic from the very first whistle.”
Denmark, however, are seasoned competitors, and slowly grew into the match. Ten minutes after the break, they were awarded a penalty following a VAR review of Andy Robertsons tangle with Joachim Andersen. Rasmus Hojlund stepped up and calmly levelled the contest. Just moments later, their hopes took a hit when Rasmus Kristensen received a second yellow card for a late challenge, leaving Denmark reduced to ten men for the final half hour.
The numerical advantage eventually told. Substitute Lawrence Shankland restored Scotlands lead on 78 minutes, capitalising on a defensive lapse to steer home a low finish. Yet Scotlands celebrations were cut short when Patrick Dorgu struck for Denmark only three minutes later, firing a crisp effort into the corner and silencing Hampden once more. Clarke admitted afterwards that he feared the worst at that moment: “Wed been the better team, wed done the hard work, and suddenly it felt like the chance might slip away.”
But what followed will be replayed for generations. With the clock deep into stoppage time, Kieran Tierney picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal and, after hesitating twice, unleashed a thunderous strike that arrowed into the top corner. “I thought twice to be honest,” Tierney said afterwards. “But then I just said why not and it is one of the best feelings I will ever have.”
Hampden was still shaking when Kenny McLean sealed Scotlands World Cup return in breathtaking fashion. Spotting the Danish goalkeeper stranded near the halfway line following a late push for an equaliser, McLean lofted an audacious shot from midfield that bounced once before dropping into the empty net. It was a moment of instinctive brilliance and the definitive exclamation mark on an unforgettable night. “I dont even know why I tried it,” McLean said later with a smile. “It just felt right. Im glad it went in, thats all I can say.”
For Andy Robertson, the night carried deep emotional weight. Fighting back tears in his post match interview, the captain said: “I knew this was probably my last chance to go to a World Cup. I couldnt stop thinking about Diogo Jota, hed be smiling somewhere. That win was for everyone weve lost along the way, and everyone who has stood by us.”
Steve Clarke reserved his praise for the entire squad, describing them as “a group that refuses to give up.” He added: “Right at the end, the fans were still with us. Nobody left. They could smell magic, and the players delivered it.”
DENMARK Captain Hojbjergs emotional interview
While Scotland celebrated, Denmark’s captain Pierre Emile Hojbjerg delivered a raw, emotional interview that stunned fans across social media. Visibly shaken by the defeat, he struggled to contain his tears as he spoke about the sense of injustice his team felt during the chaotic final minutes.
“I’m struggling to hold back tears. It didn’t feel right out there tonight. Something was wrong, everyone saw it. Decisions kept going one way, never ours, and it breaks you. We fought with ten men, we pushed, and still every crucial moment slipped away. You start asking yourself why. Why us Why always at the biggest moments I’m proud of my team, but it hurts deeply when you feel the game wasn’t decided only by football. Scotland were strong, yes, but there were forces tonight that made us feel powerless.”
His comments immediately went viral, sparking heated debate online and adding another layer of intensity to a night already rich in drama.
For Scotland, however, the story was one of triumph, catharsis, and long awaited redemption. Twenty eight years of heartache dissolved in a blur of noise, colour and tears. As the final whistle blew and the stadium erupted, the message was clear: Scotland, against all odds, are going to the World Cup.
