Andy Robertson pays emotional Diogo Jota tribute after Liverpool star leads Scotland to World Cup

Liverpool star Andy Robertson delivered an emotional tribute to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota after captaining Scotland to a dramatic 4–2 win over Denmark to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

On an evening that can dwell lengthy in Scottish soccer historical past, Andy Robertson stood on the Hampden touchline visibly overwhelmed.

Scotland had simply sealed their place on the 2026 World Cup with a dramatic 4–2 victory over Denmark, ending a 28-year look forward to qualification. But for the Scotland captain, the event meant excess of sporting achievement.

Because the Liverpool defender tried to course of what his crew had achieved, his ideas went someplace else solely to his late buddy and former teammate, Diogo Jota.

‘I’ve been in bits all day’ Robertson’s uncooked honesty

Chatting with BBC Two shortly after the ultimate whistle, Robertson revealed that the build-up to the match had been emotionally brutal. It was the primary time he had brazenly admitted simply how deeply he had struggled since Jota’s loss of life.

“I believe I’ve hidden it properly, however right now I’ve been in bits,” Robertson mentioned. “I do know that the age I’m at means this was my final probability at a World Cup. I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head right now. We spoke a lot concerning the World Cup.”

His voice cracked as he continued.

“He missed out on Qatar 2022 due to damage and I missed out as a result of Scotland by no means went. We all the time talked about going to this World Cup. I do know he’ll be someplace smiling over me tonight.”

It was a unprecedented admission from a participant recognized for his resilience, and one which underscored simply how deeply Liverpool’s dressing room has been affected by Jota’s loss.

Jota’s loss of life on 3 July 2025 surprised the soccer group. The 28-year-old was travelling by way of Zamora, Spain, en route again to England for Liverpool’s pre-season coaching, when a deadly automotive accident claimed the lives of each Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.

The outpouring of grief throughout Portugal, Liverpool, and the broader sport mirrored the stature of a participant universally admired for his humility, work ethic and quiet brilliance.

Robertson was a type of hardest hit. The pair had grown significantly shut throughout Jota’s time at Anfield, bonded by related mentalities and mirrored frustrations Jota lacking Qatar by way of damage, Robertson lacking out as a result of Scotland did not qualify.

In opposition to Denmark, the script couldn’t have been written with extra pressure. Scotland made the right begin when Scott McTominay scored a surprising overhead kick after excellent work from Ben Gannon-Doak, the previous Liverpool academy winger whose explosive rise has captivated Scottish supporters. But {the teenager}’s evening was minimize brief when he was stretchered off with what seemed to be a severe damage.

Denmark responded with stress, and Robertson himself was on the centre of a second that might have haunted him. Following a prolonged VAR test, he was adjudged to have fouled Gustav Isaksen contained in the field. Rasmus Højlund transformed the penalty.

As a substitute of folding, Scotland responded. Objectives from Rasmus Kristensen and Lawrence Shankland ignited the ambiance as soon as once more, earlier than Patrick Dorgu levelled for Denmark to go away the tie on a knife edge and the guests seconds away from qualification.

However Hampden has seen sufficient heartache over the a long time. On this evening, it demanded one thing totally different.

In stoppage time, Kieran Tierney smashed Scotland forward with a thunderous end. Moments later, with Denmark pushing each participant ahead, Kenny McLean produced a second of madness and inspiration discovering the online from inside his personal half to seal a 4–2 victory and finish Scotland’s World Cup exile.

For Liverpool supporters watching at residence, the interview that adopted was particularly troublesome. This was their vice captain, their chief, nonetheless carrying the grief of a teammate whose absence is felt each single day on the AXA Coaching Centre.

It additionally defined one thing of the Liverpool squad’s wrestle this season. Grief, as Robertson mentioned, doesn’t comply with a tidy timeline.

This was a victory that shall be replayed for generations. A nation returning to the most important stage in world soccer. A captain main his nation right into a World Cup on the remaining alternative of his profession.

However for Andy Robertson, the evening will eternally be tied to a buddy who ought to have been right here to see it. A teammate who as soon as spoke about sharing the World Cup stage, and who by no means stopped believing the second would come.