Scotland's World Cup qualification history and last FIFA goal

Scotland could scarcely have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in more dramatic fashion.

Needing a victory on the final matchday of the UEFA section against Group C leaders Denmark, Steve Clarke's side were deadlocked at 2-2 heading into second-half stoppage time.

With ten men on the field, the Danes seemed on track for the draw required to guarantee their direct qualification for The World Cup finals, but an astonishing late surge changed everything.

Kieran Tierney found the net with a brilliant strike from outside the box, followed by Kenny McLean's audacious lob over Kasper Schmeichel from midfield as the match concluded, sealing a 4-2 win.

The outcome ignited pandemonium within Glasgow's Hampden Park, with Scottish supporters reveling in the conclusion of an extensive period of anticipation before participating in soccer's premier event.

MORE: Updated list of teams qualified for the World Cup

Scotland's last World Cup bid

Before 2026, the last time Scotland qualified for the FIFA World Cup was back in 1998 in France.

They finished second behind Austria in Group 4 of the UEFA qualifying section. At the tournament proper, they were draw into Group A, alongside Norway, Morocco, and defending champions Brazil.

Scotland '98 World Cup stats

Scotland exited the 1998 World Cup during the group stage, securing last place in Group A with a single point from their three matches.

Despite a promising showing in their 2-1 defeat against Brazil at the Stade de France, they subsequently drew 1-1 with Norway and then suffered a demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Morocco in Saint-Etienne. This outcome meant they would miss out on advancing from The World Cup group stage for the eighth occasion, a record for the competition.

The last Scotland player to net a goal in the World Cup was __PLH_1__.

Craig Burley, the ex-Chelsea midfielder now working as an ESPN analyst, scored Scotland's most recent World Cup goal.

Scotland only scored two goals in their most recent World Cup appearance in 1998. John Collins netted their first from the penalty spot against Brazil, before Burley scored the equaliser in the draw with Norway.

Scotland's World Cup past

Scotland earned a spot in the 1950 World Cup held in Brazil but opted out due to finishing second to England in the British Home Championships. The Scottish FA upheld their commitment to only participate in the World Cup as British champions, despite player appeals to compete in the event.

Consequently, their debut occurred four years later, setting a tiresome precedent for supporters of Scottish football.

Scotland has been eliminated in the group stage during all eight of their World Cup participations. No other nation has reached the tournament as many times without advancing past the initial phase. Their 1974 World Cup campaign, which saw them eliminated on goal difference despite victories over Zaire and draws against Brazil and Yugoslavia, marked the start of a streak of five consecutive early exits.

Scotland's World Cup history

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