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Scotland captain Andy Robertson reflected emotionally on his dear friend Diogo Jota when his team sealed qualification for the World Cup last year.

For Robertson, earning a place at this summer’s World Cup ranks among the most emotional moments of his distinguished 32-year-old career.

Just after leading his side to a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark—ending Scotland’s 28-year wait to reach the World Cup—the Liverpool left-back found his thoughts turning toward someone who could no longer share the occasion with him.

Robertson’s close friend and former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota tragically lost his life in a car accident last summer. During the post-match celebrations, the Scotland skipper paid an emotional tribute to the Portuguese forward.

Scotland confirmed their World Cup berth in North America with a thrilling 4-2 win against Denmark, a match that began with an acrobatic overhead strike from Scott McTominay and ended dramatically with two stoppage-time goals to seal the victory.

“The ending of that match is going to be remembered for many years,” Robertson told FourFourTwo. “I’m sure everyone in the stadium and those watching from pubs would say it’s one of the greatest Scotland games ever played.”

Recalling the moment, Robertson continued, “Being part of that was incredible. When Kenny McLean sent the ball in from the halfway line, the celebrations, the noise in the stadium—it was something truly special.”

“To qualify for the World Cup is always a dream, but to do it in that fashion made it even more meaningful. It brought us even closer together as a team, a squad, and as a nation. There couldn’t have been a better way to qualify.”

As the celebrations erupted at Hampden Park, Robertson’s thoughts inevitably returned to Jota, the teammate he lost just months earlier.

“Obviously, Diogo and I were very close,” Robertson shared. “He understood how much Scotland meant to me, and I knew how much Portugal meant to him. We watched the last World Cup together.”

“He was sidelined with an injury while Scotland didn’t qualify, and we spent that time watching matches together. That’s when our friendship really deepened.”

“We both shared the same dream—to make it to the next World Cup. On the day we played Denmark, there were so many emotions. It was hard not to think of him. But when we finally qualified, I truly felt like he was looking down on us.”

“I achieved my dream that night, and I wished he could have achieved his too. Sadly, that wasn’t possible. But I know he would have been so happy for me, probably one of the first to message me. That’s why emotions ran so high after the match. What happened to him was devastating, and his memory will always stay with us. We carry him in our hearts, and that’s what keeps us going.”

“We’ll continue to honour him and remember everything he gave to us. That’s all we can do, and that’s what we’ll keep doing.”