Scotland’s World Cup dreams hang in the balance after a thrilling yet frustrating encounter in Greece. Despite a valiant effort, the Scots fell short, losing 3-2, but their fate remains in their own hands. With one game left in the group, Scotland faces a winner-takes-all showdown against Group C leaders Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday. The match will determine who advances to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that promises to be a spectacle like no other.
The Scots, who were trailing 3-0 against Greece after 63 minutes, mounted a spirited comeback, thanks to goals from Ben Doak and Ryan Christie. The match took an intriguing turn when Greece captain Tasos Bakasetas was sent off in the 84th minute for a second bookable offense, offering Scotland a glimmer of hope. However, the damage was already done, as Greece had taken the lead early on through Bakasetas and sealed the victory with second-half goals from Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis.
Scotland’s goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, made a remarkable five saves in the first half, showcasing his resilience and experience despite not playing a competitive match in six months. The team’s performance, however, was marred by a poor start, with Greece capitalizing on their early dominance. The Danes, on the other hand, witnessed a dramatic turn of events in their match against Belarus, where they turned a one-goal deficit into a draw in just three second-half minutes.
The Scottish players, including Andy Robertson and Ryan Christie, expressed their determination and optimism. Robertson highlighted the team’s ability to turn things around, while Christie emphasized their past success against Denmark. The focus now shifts to the crucial match against Denmark, where Scotland must deliver a strong performance to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup itself is set to be a historic event, taking place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be the 23rd edition of the tournament. The draw for the group stage fixtures will take place in Washington on December 5, with President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino joining forces to decide the groups.