Wednesday’s briefing: Scotland seal World Cup return and Wales run riot

Scotland secured a return to the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1998 in dramatic fashion, while Wales ran in seven goals to secure home advantage in for the play-offs.

Elsewhere England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman is moving on from the controversy over Mary Earps’ autobiography criticism.

Emotional Andy Robertson recalls World Cup chats with the late Diogo Jota

Scotland captain Andy Robertson admitted he was “in bits” before the victory over Denmark which sent them to a World Cup for the first time since 1998 as he was overcome with emotion thinking about former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota.

A dramatic 4-2 win was secured by a brilliant Scott McTominay overhead kick, a close-range Lawrence Shankland effort and two goals in added time against 10-man opponents with Kieran Tierney curling home before an outrageous effort from Kenny McLean on the halfway line.

However, the pressure of seizing his last chance to play at the tournament had Robertson in turmoil in the hours leading up to kick-off as he recalled conversations with the former Portugal forward, who died in a car crash in the summer.

“I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits. I know the age I’m at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup,” he told the BBC.

“I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier. I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about the World Cup.

“He missed out last time because of injury, I missed out because Scotland didn’t qualify and we always discussed what it would be like going to the World Cup. I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight.”

Wales win ‘close to the perfect performance’ – Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy described Wales’ seven-goal show against North Macedonia as “close to the perfect performance” after his side secured home advantage in the World Cup play-off semi-final.

Captain Harry Wilson scored a hat-trick, with David Brooks, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Nathan Broadhead also on the scoresheet as Wales scored seven for the first time since 1978 against Malta.

“I said to the players at the end I am not a perfect person, I haven’t come across anyone who is,” said the Wales manager.

“But maybe I take a little bit of that back because that was as close to the perfect performance as I have seen. That was incredible.”

Wiegman rejects Earps criticism

Sarina Wiegman has hit back at criticism from former England goalkeeper Mary Earps by insisting: “I make decisions to win.”

The Lionesses head coach was responding for the first time to Earps’ bombshell autobiography, which claims she told Wiegman “bad behavior is being rewarded” following the decision to recall fellow goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

“That’s her book. I don’t think I can react to anything more because there’s a lot of private conversations that I always keep private,” said Wiegman.

“What my reality is, someone else’s reality can be different because how you experience things, that’s very individual. I really enjoyed working with Mary.

“What I’m trying to do is be as honest as possible and have a very good working relationship – and I think that’s what we had. I make decisions to win.”

What’s on today?

The Women’s Champions League sees defending champions Arsenal host Real Madrid, while Manchester United look to make it four wins from four away at Wolfsburg.