AliousScotland’s opponents for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers have been finalized following a thrilling Nations League quarter-final clash between Denmark and Portugal, heavily influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo’s rollercoaster performance. Denmark, who will face Scotland first in the qualifiers, fell to Portugal in a dramatic encounter.
After securing a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg in Copenhagen, the Danes traveled to Lisbon, where they were just moments away from preserving their Nations League A status.
However, Portugal turned the tide, winning 3-2 in regular time and 5-2 after extra time, clinching a 5-3 aggregate triumph.
Ronaldo proved both a liability and a savior for Portugal. Early in the match, Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel denied him from the penalty spot in the sixth minute. Portugal eventually took the lead before halftime when Joachim Anderson inadvertently turned a Bruno Fernandes corner into his own net.
Denmark fought back after the break, with Rasmus Kristiansen heading in an equalizer to regain the upper hand in the tie. The final 20 minutes erupted into chaos as Ronaldo and Denmark’s Christian Eriksen exchanged goals.
Just as Denmark seemed poised to hang on for a draw, Francisco Trincao struck with four minutes left to force extra time. Trincao then scored again within the first minute of the additional period, and Goncalo Ramos sealed Portugal’s victory, sending Denmark into Scotland’s World Cup qualifying Group C alongside Greece and Belarus.
Scotland’s campaign will begin in Copenhagen on September 5, 2026, as they aim for a spot at the finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s relegation from Nations League A was confirmed with a 3-0 loss to Greece at Hampden on Sunday evening, setting the stage for their participation in League B in the next cycle, post-2026 World Cup. Other key results from the weekend shaped the potential challenges awaiting Scotland in that competition.
Ukraine slipped into League B after Belgium overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit with a 3-0 win in Brussels, powered by a late three-goal flurry. Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin impressed on his full debut for Belgium despite an early booking.
The Republic of Ireland secured their League B status with a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in Dublin (4-2 aggregate), with Celtic’s Adam Idah scoring a late winner off the bench.
Bulgaria’s Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, absent for the second leg, faces a possible month-long absence due to a hip injury.
Georgia solidified their League B spot with a commanding 6-1 rout of Armenia in Tbilisi, following a 3-0 away win in the first leg. Stars like Georges Mikautadze, who scored twice, and PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shone brightly.
Hungary, however, dropped from League A after a 3-0 home defeat to Turkey, who had already won 3-1 in Istanbul, with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, and Abdulkerim Bardakci.
Kosovo earned promotion to League B for the first time, defeating Iceland 5-2 on aggregate, highlighted by Vedat Muriqi’s hat-trick in a stunning 3-1 away win. Austria also joined League B after a 2-0 loss to Serbia in Belgrade, while Slovenia edged out Slovakia 1-0 in extra time to secure their place alongside Scotland.
As Scotland prepares for both the World Cup qualifiers and their upcoming Nations League B campaign, they face a mix of familiar foes and rising teams, with Celtic and Rangers players like Idah and Raskin already making their mark on the international stage.
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