14. March 2025

McTominay's stunning overhead kick—was it Scotland's best goal of the World Cup qualifier?

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Thompson and McFadden erupt with joy over Scotland’s late dramatic goals

“Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen—and it might not even be the best goal of the night.”

Scotland manager Steve Clarke summed up the moment perfectly, describing what could well be the pinnacle of the Napoli midfielder’s career.

Just three minutes into the make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Denmark, McTominay soared into the air, his acrobatic effort almost lifting Hampden Park off its foundations in Glasgow’s south side. But the drama was only just beginning.

No Scotland supporter could have imagined that more breathtaking goals would follow over the next 95 minutes. Yet with a World Cup spot on the line, the team produced three of the greatest strikes in their 153-year footballing history.

Archie Gemmill’s iconic goal against the Netherlands in 1978, James McFadden’s memorable strike against France in 2007, and Shaun Maloney’s brilliant finish against Ireland seven years later now face stiff competition.

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Watch McTominay’s incredible acrobatic strike for Scotland

Picking a favorite is no easy task, so let’s break them down one by one. We start with McTominay’s graceful aerial maneuver.

Less than 180 seconds into the game, he connected with a ball hovering seven, eight, or nine feet above the ground—depending on who you ask—executing a perfect scissor kick to fire Scotland into the lead.

The chance came after Ben Gannon-Doak cut inside and delivered an inviting cross, but only a player of Ballon d’Or nominee caliber would have the courage to attempt such an audacious move.

“Cometh the hour, cometh the man!,” shouted former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart on Sportsound. “That is absolutely outrageous! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a better goal.”

“He’s the ultimate big-game player,” added former Scotland star McFadden. “That’s pure spectacle.”

“You have to go all the way back to Archie Gemmill’s goal to find something comparable,” former national team striker Billy Dodds said at half-time.

Even Scottish sporting legend Andy Murray was left impressed…

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Tierney’s sensational strike puts Scotland on course for the finals

With all due respect to Lawrence Shankland, we’ll gloss over his goal briefly. From barely a yard out, he prodded Lewis Ferguson’s corner over the line, sending Scotland’s fans into dreamland—though the joy was short-lived.

Denmark equalized quickly, and there was a nerve-wracking wait until Kieran Tierney unleashed another moment of magic.

The game was in the second minute of stoppage time—and Scotland looked set to be condemned to the agony of the play-offs—when the ball fell to the makeshift right-back, who curled a magnificent effort past his Celtic teammate Kasper Schmeichel.

It was a goal from the heavens, scored by a player who has endured so much since his Euro 2024 campaign was cut short by a hamstring injury the previous summer.

“It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving player who’s been through such tough times,” Stewart said. “That’s pure class.”

And manager Clarke was delighted that it was Tierney who scored the goal that sealed Scotland’s place at the top of the group.

“I spoke to Kieran before the first game,” Clarke said. “He’s a key player for me, one of my most trusted men.

“I said ’listen, Aaron Hickey can’t play back-to-back games, I can see you coming on at right-back and doing a fantastic job for us'.

“I didn’t quite envision that goal—but when the ball rolled back to him on his left foot, I knew he was going to score.”

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McLean scores from halfway to secure Scotland’s World Cup spot

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any better…

The ball broke to Kenny McLean—occasionally criticized but one of Clarke’s most reliable lieutenants—with Denmark already reeling.

He twisted away from the last remaining defender, spotted Schmeichel off his line, and chipped the ball from the halfway line with a strike that defied belief and seemingly gravity itself.

“When [Kenny] hit it, I thought ‘what on earth are you doing?!’ but as soon as I saw it in flight, I thought ’that’s going in!’,” Clarke said.

Former Scotland striker Steven Thompson, commentating for the nation, summed it up best. “Shoot! Shoot!” he yelled.

“He’s done him! He’s done him!” as the ball sailed toward the goal.

When it hit the back of the net, words failed—only pandemonium ensued.

Pick your favorite. We can debate it all the way to North America…

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