Andy Robertson pays tribute to friend Diogo Jota after Scotland's World Cup heroics

Martin Macdonald

• 19 Nov 2025 04:15 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

Andy Robertson paid a touching tribute to his friend Diogo Jota after Scotland's heroic victory over Denmark which saw the country qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 27 years.

On Tuesday evening, Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park to qualify for the next edition of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Scott McTominay opened the scoring early on with a spectacular bicycle kick but the Scots were twice pegged back as we approached injury time with the match locked at 2-2.

Then, Celtic star Kieran Tierney popped up with a glorious finish from outside the box into the left corner, while Kenny McLean ensured the Scots topped the group with an ambitious strike from the halfway line that went in over the head of Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Emotions ran high at full-time and Robertson fought back tears as he spoke about Liverpool team-mate Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash during the summer.

"I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits," the 31-year-old told BBC Sport.

"I know the age I'm at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup.

"I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he'll be smiling over me today.

"I'm so glad it's ended up this way. This group of boys, this group of staff - it's the best group I've been involved in."

Robertson also reserved praise for head coach Steve Clarke and the inspiration he provided to the players before the game kicked off.

'I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today' ❤️

Andy Robertson on what it means to qualify for the World Cup ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ngJ2TV7LLj

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 18, 2025

"The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable," he explained.

"He went through the big moments we've had. Qualifying for the Euros - he couldn't quite remember - we were in Wunderbar. He said 'let's make it another one'.

"We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it'll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.

"That just sums up this squad. Never say die. We just keep going right to the end and one of the craziest games. We put the country through it, but I'm sure it's worth it. We're going to the World Cup."

Scotland topped Group C of qualification in a group alongside Denmark, Greece and Belarus to earn automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup

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