Andy Robertson Offers Touching Tribute to Jota Following Scotland’s World Cup Qualification
Speaking to BBC Scotland after captaining his nation to their first World Cup since 1998, Andy Robertson delivered an emotional tribute to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota following Scotland’s automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament.
Scotland clinched their spot with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park. Steve Clarke’s side twice went in front through Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland, only for Rasmus Højlund and Patrick Dorgu to bring Denmark level each time.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men early in the second half after Rasmus Kristensen picked up a second yellow card. Deep into stoppage time, Kieran Tierney curled home a superb 20-yard strike to secure Scotland’s qualification, before Kenny McLean added a stunning long-range goal from the halfway line as Kasper Schmeichel had pushed forward for a late Danish set piece.
After the match, Robertson spoke to BBC Scotland and became visibly emotional as he remembered Jota, who tragically died in a car accident in Spain in July.
“I’ve tried to hold it together, but today I’ve been a mess,” he admitted. “At my age, this could be my last chance to reach a World Cup. I couldn’t stop thinking about my mate Diogo Jota. We talked so much about the World Cup — he missed Qatar because of his injury, and I missed it because Scotland never qualify.
“We always imagined what it would be like to go to the next one. I know he’ll be smiling down on me tonight. I couldn’t get him out of my head all day. I think I was struggling in my room earlier, to be honest.
“I tried to hide it from the lads, and I’m just so happy it’s ended this way.”
Jota had been expected to play for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, but a calf injury ruled him out. He and his brother, André Silva, were killed in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on July 3 while travelling back to England for pre-season. Investigators reported that their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout, left the road, and burst into flames.
In September, Liverpool manager Arne Slot revealed that the club had honoured the remaining two years of Jota’s contract — which was due to run until 2027 — by paying it in full to his family.
