Andy Robertson Pays Emotional Tribute To Diogo Jota As Scotland Qualify For World Cup

Andy Robertson has paid an emotional tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota after Scotland qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup.

Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 on what was a dramatic night at Hampden Park.

Steve Clarke's side twice led through Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland, but Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu equalised for Denmark.

The Danes were reduced to 10 players in the second half at 2-1 after Rasmus Kristensen was shown a second yellow card.

But it was Kieran Tierney who struck in second half stoppage time with a curling 20-yard effort that secured Scotland an automatic place at next year's World Cup.

Kenny McLean, who was a first half substitute, then found the net from the halfway line as Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel went upfield for a Danish set piece.

After the match, Scotland captain Robertson was interviewed by BBC Scotland - and he paid tribute to ex-Liverpool star Jota, who was killed in a car crash in Spain in July.

"I think I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits," he said. "I know with my age and everything, this could be my last chance at a World Cup.

"I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup, when we missed out in Qatar because of [Jota, calf] injury. I missed out because Scotland never win.

"We'd always discuss what it would be like going to this World Cup. I know he'll be somewhere smiling over me tonight.

"I just couldn't get him out of my head all day. I think I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier!

"Like I said, I think I hid it well from the boys, and I'm so glad that it's ended up this way."

Jota was due to play at the 2022 World Cup with Portugal, but suffered a calf injury in October of that year which ruled him out of the entire tournament.

The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Zamora, Spain on July 3 while travelling back to England for pre-season training.

According to the Spanish Civil Guard, their car, a Lamborghini, suffered a tyre blowout which caused it to veer off the road and subsequently catch fire.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed in September that the Reds had paid the final two years of Jota's contract, which was due to expire in the summer of 2027, to his family.