Scotland’s thriller route to the World Cup: A lesson for Nigeria

BY ISAIAH KUMUYI

The roar that erupted from Hampden Park in Scotland on November 18, 2025, was more than just a sound of celebration; it was the sound of a nation shedding the weight of three decades of World Cup qualification frustration in one spectacular night.

Scotland’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark in that winner-takes-all qualifier was an epic demonstration of tenacity, heart, and national spirit, providing a powerful case study for collective success that leaders of Nigeria, and citizens alike, should heed.

The game’s narrative was defined by relentless will. The team immediately announced their intent with Scott McTominay’s spectacular, eye-catching bicycle kick that opened the scoring. That audacity set the tone, but it was the team’s mental fortitude that ultimately secured the ticket.

Twice, Denmark pulled level, once in the first half and again in the 82nd minute, threatening to crush the Scottish dream again. Yet, instead of succumbing to despair, the Scots found an extra gear. That resilience to get back in front after being equalised twice is the mark of true champions!

The drama of the final minutes showcased the team’s commitment. Substitute Lawrence Shankland had earlier restored the lead, but it was the two breathtaking stoppage-time strikes that sealed the victory. Kieran Tierney’s rocket and Kenny McLean’s audacious chip were moments of individual brilliance, delivered under extreme pressure, proving that supreme talent thrives within a unified system.

Those players did not just play for points; they played with palpable passion and national pride, aiming to give the Tartan Army a unifying, joyous moment.

The story of Scotland’s dramatic route to the World Cup offers a stark contrast to the recent painful exit of the Super Eagles, who suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo and missed a second consecutive World Cup, after the painful absence from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

That elimination underscores a Nigerian deficiency in the very qualities Scotland exhibited: the collective grit, sharp focus, and unyielding will required to dominate when it matters most, even when possessing superior individual talent.

The core attributes that propelled the Scottish team: perseverance in the face of setbacks, the resilience to bounce back from crushing blows, and the rallying of collective energy behind a single shared goal – are precisely the ingredients necessary for Nigeria to make solid national progress.

The message from Glasgow to Nigeria’s leadership and citizenry is clear: National success is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires nurturing talent, fostering unwavering collective grit, and cultivating a ‘never-say-die’ attitude in the minds of every Nigerian.

As Scottish manager Steve Clarke noted, amidst the euphoria: “Everybody was in the stadium, nobody left because they could smell magic.”

Nigeria, too, deserves to smell that magic. In the face of current challenges, security being a prime one, the Scotland story offers us a treasure trove of inspiration for national mobilisation and advancement

By drawing inspiration from the resilience demonstrated on the football pitch, we can translate the sporting spirit of never giving up into lasting national achievement. It is my earnest hope that the Super Eagles will go to AFCON 2025, give us the Nigerian version of the Scotland magic, and make us smile again.

Nigeria shall rise again.

Isaiah Kumuyi, a corporate communication professional, writes from the University of Lagos.