How Did Scotland, Denmark, and the Netherlands Excel in the FIFA 2026 WC Qualifiers?
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Synopsis
In an exhilarating night of football, Scotland, Denmark, and the Netherlands showcased their strength in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. With stunning comebacks and record-breaking performances, these teams are making headlines. Join us as we dive into the highlights and key moments from this thrilling round of matches!
Key Takeaways
- Scotland came back to defeat Greece with a score of 3-1.
- Denmark maintained their leadership in Group C with a 6-0 win over Belarus.
- Cody Gakpo starred in the Netherlands' 4-0 victory against Malta.
- Austria's Marko Arnautovic set a record as the nation's all-time leading scorer.
- Algeria secured their spot in the World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Somalia.
New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) Scotland orchestrated an incredible comeback to keep in sync with Denmark in Group C, while Austrian and Faroe Islands teams celebrated record-breaking nights during the European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a thrilling contest in Glasgow, Scotland secured a vital 3-1 victory over Greece, enhancing their prospects of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.
Greece, who previously triumphed 3-0 on their last visit to Hampden Park, began strongly, with significant opportunities for Vangelis Pavlidis and Giorgos Masouras before Kostas Tsimikas netted the opener in the 62nd minute.
However, the Greek celebrations were short-lived, as Ryan Christie equalized just two minutes later. Lewis Ferguson then put Scotland ahead in the 80th minute. Konstantinos Karetsas nearly leveled late on, but Angus Gunn made a sensational save, followed by Lyndon Dykes sealing the win in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Denmark maintained their leading position in Group C with a resounding 6-0 win over Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, led by a remarkable brace from Rasmus Hojlund.
The Danes surged ahead early, with Victor Froholdt scoring in the 14th minute, followed by Hojlund adding to the tally just five minutes later. The first half ended with Hojlund scoring again after a rebound, and he assisted Patrick Dorgu to make it 4-0 just before halftime.
In the second half, Anders Dreyer came off the bench to score twice, both with well-placed left-footed shots.
In Group G, Cody Gakpo dazzled as the Netherlands amassed 13 points from a possible 15, defeating Malta 4-0 in Ta’ Qali.
After an early miss by Malta, Gakpo converted a penalty after Ryan Gravenberch was fouled. He scored again from the spot following a foul on Wout Weghorst and assisted Tijjani Reijnders for the third goal, while substitute Memphis Depay added a fourth in stoppage time.
Additionally, Marko Arnautovic became Austria's all-time leading scorer, contributing to a perfect record in Group H with a staggering 10-0 win over San Marino.
Earlier, Algeria secured their spot for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a dominant 3-0 win over Somalia, while Uganda solidified their second place with a hard-fought victory against Botswana.
Point of View
It is evident that Scotland, Denmark, and the Netherlands have showcased their footballing prowess in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Scotland's resilience and Denmark's dominant performance highlight the competitive spirit of European football. Such thrilling matches not only captivate fans but also set the stage for an exciting World Cup journey ahead.
NationPress
10/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams excelled in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Scotland, Denmark, and the Netherlands stood out in their respective matches, showcasing remarkable performances.
Who scored the most goals in the recent qualifiers?
Marko Arnautovic became Austria's all-time leading scorer with four goals in their 10-0 victory over San Marino.
How did Scotland perform against Greece?
Scotland made a comeback to win 3-1 against Greece, increasing their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
What was Denmark's score against Belarus?
Denmark defeated Belarus with an impressive score of 6-0, maintaining their top spot in Group C.
What impact did Cody Gakpo have in the Netherlands' match?
Cody Gakpo played a crucial role, scoring two penalties and assisting in another goal during the Netherlands' 4-0 victory over Malta.
