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After a stunning 4-2 victory over Denmark on Tuesday, Scotland will play in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and Spain also secured a spot in the 2026 finals with two injury-time goals.

With the late brilliant goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, Steve Clarke’s Scotland won the crucial match in Glasgow to advance from Group C.

On the final night of European qualifying, European champions Spain, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland all purchased tickets to the following year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Scott McTominay’s sensational overhead kick put Scotland ahead in just the third minute as the crowd erupted in Hampden Park.

Before the hour mark, Denmark had a Rasmus Hojlund penalty, but Rasmus Kristensen’s dismissal reduced the team to 10 men.

Although Lawrence Shankland believed he had killed Scotland in the finals, Patrick Dorgu later appeared to have broken the hearts of the home fans.

Also read: Curacao, Suriname, and &nbsp on the verge of joining the World Cup Party

However, Tierney outlasted him in the third minute of added time with a magnificent strike from distance before McLean headed in from close range.

Ralf Rangnick’s Austria won their first World Cup since 1998 with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to Michael Gregoritsch’s 78th-minute goal.

In Group E, Spain were only able to draw 2-2 with Turkey if they were to pull off a seven-goal defeat to clinch a place at a 13th successive World Cup.

Belgium defeated Liechtenstein 7-0 to claim a spot in the finals, and Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere both scored twice.

With a 1-1 draw against Kosovo in Pristina, Switzerland extended their run of six World Cup appearances.

Tunisia held to a dismal 1-1 friendly draw by Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil on Tuesday in Lille as their slow build-up to the 2026 World Cup slowed.

Lucas Paqueta wasted a chance to win the game for the Selecao from the spot, but the 18-year-old in excellent form did so.

After only finishing fifth in South American qualifying, the five-time world champions are preparing for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada under some sort of a cloud.

Last month, they also lost to Japan by a score of 3-2.

Read more about Curacao and Suriname’s potential participation in the World Cup.

In his starting lineup, Brazil coach Ancelotti named a strong starting lineup that included four forwards: Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Estevao.

However, Tunisia took a surprise lead in the opening period when Ali Abdi’s brilliant pass found Hazem Mastouri, who was unable to hold his composure as he slipped the ball past Brazil goalkeeper Bento.

However, shortly before half-time, Brazil received a penalty from VAR for handball, much to the dismay of the thousands of Tunisian fans at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Estevao added his fifth international goal on Saturday against Senegal by scoring against Senegal.

With 12 minutes left, substitute Paqueta replaced Estevao for the spot-kick and smashed his effort over the crossbar.

Brazil should have received a third penalty after Estevao fell in the 89th minute, but the referee continued to award it despite a VAR review.

In other international friendlies, Sadio Mane scored a hat-trick as Senegal defeated Kenya 8-0, while Ivory Coast, the country’s champion, recovered from a defeat to Saudi Arabia with a 2-0 victory over Oman.

Algeria defeated the Saudis 2-0 at home, and Riyad Mahrez added to the scoreline as Morocco, the country that finished 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, defeated Uganda 4-0.

Abdukodir Khusanov was sent off against Iran in a goalless draw, which Uzbekistan will make their World Cup debut next year.

As more of football’s lesser luminaries have a chance to make it to a tournament that has been expanded to 48 teams, Curacao and Suriname could win the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.

At the finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the two Caribbean countries would compete alongside Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan, as well as other first-time participants like them. They will compete alongside legendary players like Brazil, who have won five times before, and two-time champion France.

Curacao defeated Bermuda 7-0 last week to claim top spot in CONCACAF qualifying, giving the tiny island off Venezuela’s northern coast a chance to book a ticket if they do not lose to Jamaica on Tuesday in Kingston.

When veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat had to leave the team camp and travel home for family reasons, their preparations suffered a blow.

The least-populationally populous nation ever to qualify for a World Cup would be Curacao, a self-governing region of the Netherlands with a population of just over 150 000.

As long as Panama does not lose to El Salvador, who is already eliminated, Suriname leads their group in goal difference and can claim a historic qualification with a victory in Guatemala City.

Suriname must finish the night with a better goal difference if both nations win in order to take the crucial position at the top of their group.

Cape Verde won their spot in African qualifying last month, and FIFA, the game’s world-governing body, was quick to release a video of their exuberant players rushing to celebrate with their supporters in the stands.

Their qualification, according to Captain Ryan Mendes, was abysmal.

Mendes, a member of his Turkish club football, told AFP, “We have taken part in four African Cup of Nations (CAN) tournaments and we were also very close to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.”

Over the years, a lot has been accomplished. And we can confidently say that this is the logical conclusion right now.

Mendes couldn’t help but feel the excitement in the small island off the coast of Senegal, which has a population of 525, 000.

“Everyone is so happy, the entire country,” he declares in a statement from the diaspora. He said, “I just think about it makes me feel goosebumps.”

DR Congo’s Breakup of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Dream

Having 64 teams? &nbsp,

There haven’t been many surprise qualifiers in Europe so far, but some of the big players, including Italy’s four-time World Cup champions and Sweden, must navigate playoffs to qualify for the finals.

Despite persistent criticism that the involvement of the smaller nations could lead to some unfavorable outcomes when the tournament kicks off in June, FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s promise that opening up the World Cup to 48 teams would further spread the sport worldwide is true.

Additionally, Infantino, who has a powerful influence on international football, appears to be giving the possibility of allowing 64 nations to qualify for the 2030 World Cup some serious thought.

That could inspire even more nations to occupy the biggest stage of football, where they may not have previously dreamed.

World No. 1 Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who was previously a champion at Wimbledon, will miss this week’s Davis Cup Final 8 match due to injury, according to a tweet on X from Tuesday.

“I’m very sorry to inform you that I will not be able to compete in Bologna with Spain.” The 22-year-old six-time Grand Slam champion said, “My right hamstring is swelling, and the medical advice is not to play.”

“I’ve always said that helping the Spanish team fight for the Davis Cup trophy is the best thing there is,” I’ve always said.

Alcaraz made the announcement two days after losing to Italian world number two Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 in the title-winning ATP Finals matchup in Turin.

With hosts Italy aiming for a third title in a row, Sinner had already made the announcement that he would miss the event.

Lorenzo Musetti, Italy’s second-highest player, has also withdrawn from his side because his wife is expecting a child.

According to International Tennis Federation CEO Ross Hutchins, “Those are very three specific cases.”

You can see why those incidents occurred this year, he continued.

The other nations competing for the title in Bologna include Austria, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Argentina, and Germany.

Germany and the Netherlands scored on consecutive goals as they won their final group match of the week on Monday to earn their place in the World Cup.

German coach Julian Nagelsmann stated to German broadcaster ZDF, “Everyone played well today and worked like a dog.”

To be sure of reaching the world footballing spectacle in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, both European giants needed only to draw. Both went on the attack instead.

In Leipzig, Germany defeated Slovakia 6:0 to take command early on. Before defeating Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands needed to hold on for more than one more game.

Poland, who defeated the Dutch 3-2 in Malta, came out on top of Group G, where Slovakia placed second, and placed second overall.

Although Northern Ireland could not escape third place in Group A with a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg in Belfast, they will still qualify for the play-offs thanks to their Nations League display.

Croatia, who is already in charge of Group L, scored twice in the closing 18 minutes to overcome Montenegro with a score of 3-2. Second place went to the Czech Republic, who defeated visiting Gibraltar 6-0.

Four-time champions Germany, who had a lead in Group A goals, started the night in Leipzig with a point lead over their nearest rival Slovakia. Slovacia, which earlier qualified beat Germany, had some threatening chances of failing to take them.

The Germans took an 18th-minute lead thanks to Nick Woltemade. The hosts had complete control when Serge Gnabry added a second 11 minutes later. Ridle Baku and Assan Ouedraogo were substituted for Leroy Sane in the second half, who scored twice before half-time.

READ MORE: DR Congo Breaks Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Dream

We’re relieved, we say. Woltemade addressed Germany’s ZDF in a “great moment.” “I’m playing, I’m scoring goals, and I’m hoping to win the World Cup.”

“Tonight, we demonstrated our commitment to this team.” It was enjoyable.

Nagelsmann praised the team’s attitude.

He said, “We pushed ourselves on the pitch from the beginning and showed incredible team spirit.”

Dutch High-Tempo

Ronald Koeman’s Dutch team entertained the 50, 000 spectators in Amsterdam as their fast-paced play kept Lithuania in their own half.

The hosts held the Dutch at bay until the 58th minute thanks to the massed visiting defense and a spectacular first-half display by goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas. Tijani Reijnders, who was flawlessly set up by Frenkie de Jong, gave the hosts a 15-minute lead.

In the following four minutes, Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen each scored from the penalty spot, allowing Koeman to substitute five players.

Reijnders, 27, was excited to travel to the World Cup, just like Woltemade. Before the 2022 Qatar finals, he didn’t make his Netherlands debut.

He said, “I sat down at home, slumped on the couch, and wore my Oranje shirt.” It’s obvious that things will be very different for me this time around. Although it will take some time before it arrives, I’m really looking forward to taking part for the first time.

Poland suffered a defeat in Malta, but it ultimately did not lift them out of second place.

After 32 minutes, Robert Lewandowski gave the Poles the lead after being unhappy with his team’s performance that caused a coaching change earlier in the campaign.

Four minutes later, Irvin Cardona responded with a home.

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After 59 minutes, Lewandowski then gave up Pawel Wszolek, but in the 68th minute, Malta took a wild swing.

A video check revealed that Jakub Kiwior had fouled Cardona in the Polish box at the beginning of the counter-attack, but Karol Swiderski stuck the ball into the net to seal the Polish victory.

Teddy Teuma received a penalty kick.

After 85 minutes, Poland won thanks to Piotr Zielinski’s long-range strike that flew in off the post.

After successfully completing a full practice session with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, LeBron James made a significant recovery from an injury.

The 40-year-old has missed the first few weeks of a season for the first time in the NBA icon’s career because he was diagnosed with sciatica last month and has been laid low for it all.

However, the veteran star is considering returning when the Lakers take on the Utah Jazz at home on Tuesday after a five-on-five practice at the team’s training facility on Monday.

James stated to the media that his recovery from Monday’s practice would determine his schedule.

Throughout the entire process, James remarked, “We’ve been taking it literally one minute, one hour, one step at a time.”

“So, check my mood this afternoon and tonight. We’ll likely have a shootaround when I wake up in the morning. So, we just need to see how the body reacts over the next 24 hours or so.

JJ Redick, the head coach for the Lakers, described James’ status as “TBD” for Tuesday’s game as “TBD,” but he added that his resumption of training was similar to signing “a new player.”

In a 109-108 win over the Spurs, Curry’s 49 points propel the Warriors.

It was great to have him join the group; this was the first time this season that all 14 players had players available for practice, Redick said. “Good to see the group coming back together,” she said.

The coach said, “We’ve got to see how he responds to today, and how he feels tomorrow morning,” and that “I know he’s itching to play, and itching to return.

James, in contrast, acknowledged that missing the campaign’s opening weeks had been difficult for him to accept.

He said, “It definitely stinks.” Never have I not begun the season in my life since I first started playing the game.

“I’ve had a lot of work trying to get myself ready to rejoin the team, but I’m built for it and am mentally and physically ready for it.”

The Lakers are fourth in the Western Conference standings with a 10-4 start to the season.