'I know he'll be smiling down': Emotional Andy Robertson remembers late teammate Diogo Jota as Scotland qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Scotland captain Andy Robertson revealed emotional thoughts about his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota after Scotland secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup by defeating Denmark 4-2 on Tuesday, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Scotland's victory came through goals from Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean in the match against Denmark at their home ground.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Robertson shared his deep emotional connection to the achievement, particularly thinking about his former teammate Jota, who died at 28 in a car accident in July.
"I've hidden it well, but today I've been in bits," Robertson told the BBC. "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 talked 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 down on 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. The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable. 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."
Jota had missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a calf injury, and the two players had shared dreams of making it to the tournament with their respective countries.
McTominay opened the scoring for Scotland with a spectacular bicycle kick goal three minutes into the match, exciting the home crowd.
McLean sealed the victory with an impressive strike from the half-way line in the final moments of the game, securing Scotland's place in the North American World Cup.
Portugal, Jota's national team, had also secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 9-1 win over Armenia on Sunday.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Scotland's victory came through goals from Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean in the match against Denmark at their home ground.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Robertson shared his deep emotional connection to the achievement, particularly thinking about his former teammate Jota, who died at 28 in a car accident in July.
"I've hidden it well, but today I've been in bits," Robertson told the BBC. "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 talked 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 down on 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. The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable. 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."
Jota had missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a calf injury, and the two players had shared dreams of making it to the tournament with their respective countries.
McTominay opened the scoring for Scotland with a spectacular bicycle kick goal three minutes into the match, exciting the home crowd.
McLean sealed the victory with an impressive strike from the half-way line in the final moments of the game, securing Scotland's place in the North American World Cup.
Portugal, Jota's national team, had also secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 9-1 win over Armenia on Sunday.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Next Story