Rasmus Hojlund’s congratulatory message to Scotland after Denmark’s 2–4 loss in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has angered many Danish fans. However, plenty of others have stepped up to defend the young striker, saying he was simply showing true sportsmanship.
Hojlund sparks controversy after Denmark’s defeat to Scotland
Rasmus Hojlund — the young striker currently seen as Denmark’s biggest rising star — suddenly found himself at the center of a heated debate after Denmark fell 2–4 to Scotland early on November 19 (Vietnam time). Individually, he performed well: Hojlund scored once, worked tirelessly, and constantly threatened Scotland’s defense. Yet the controversy didn’t come from anything he did on the pitch — it came from something that happened off of it.
Right after the match, Scott McTominay — who scored for Scotland and was also Hojlund’s former Manchester United teammate — posted a celebratory photo with the caption: “World Cup here we come.” At that point, Scotland had secured a playoff spot and were in high spirits about their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The post quickly drew reactions from several of McTominay’s close football friends, such as Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho, and other former United teammates. They left cheerful congratulatory comments. Hojlund joined in as well, leaving a brief message: “Congrats mate. Well done.”
That alone was enough to set Danish social media ablaze.
A wave of criticism from Danish supporters
Many Danish fans were furious, calling Hojlund’s action “inappropriate,” “unpatriotic,” and “disrespectful to the national colors.” Under related posts, comments poured in:
- “This guy’s not serious.”
- “We lost, Hojlund.”
- “Why are you congratulating them?”
- “Why congratulate the team that just beat you?”
- “He should be dropped from the squad.”
These criticisms spread rapidly. For many supporters, disappointment from the heavy defeat made them hypersensitive to anything involving national team players. What could have been seen as a normal gesture between professional colleagues was instead interpreted as “unprofessional” or even “offensive.”
Some extreme opinions even demanded that Denmark’s coaching staff “seriously reprimand” Hojlund or impose “disciplinary measures.”
But many stepped up to defend him: “That’s real sportsmanship”
Opposing the heated backlash, many fans and football analysts praised Hojlund’s gesture. They argued that sportsmanship is essential — especially with Denmark still having a very real chance of reaching the 2026 World Cup through the playoffs.
Positive comments included:
- “That’s true sportsmanship. He gave everything tonight.”
- “Good luck in the playoffs. You played your heart out.”
- “Everyone knows Hojlund always fights hard. It was just a friendly gesture.”
Many pointed out that McTominay is not only a rival on the pitch, but also a personal friend and former teammate at Manchester United. In modern football, where players from multiple nations play together at club level, maintaining respect and friendship is perfectly normal.
Hojlund: A relentless warrior on the field, even if criticized off it
In reality, Hojlund’s performance in the match was far from poor. He scored, played with high energy, and was Denmark’s biggest offensive threat. Several pundits noted that he was arguably Denmark’s most determined player on the pitch, despite the team constantly chasing the scoreline.
However, when a national team suffers a tough loss, even the smallest action can be scrutinized more harshly than usual. This is far from the first time a player has been “attacked” online for a social media interaction after a national team defeat.
The context: Denmark still has a path to the 2026 World Cup
Despite losing to Scotland, Denmark’s hopes are not over. The Scandinavian side still leads in certain tiebreakers and remains in a strong position to secure a place in the March playoffs.
There, Denmark will face other top European teams for a World Cup spot. Analysts believe Denmark has the quality to make it through — especially if key players like Hojlund, Eriksen, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg hit top form.
This is exactly when the squad needs unity more than ever. As such, even a small gesture can easily become controversial if interpreted emotionally rather than rationally.
Hojlund: young, emotional, but full of passion
Born in 2003, Hojlund is still very young. He may not yet have the media awareness to know which moments are sensitive for public messages. But in terms of human behavior, his action showed respect for an opponent and demonstrated clear sportsmanship — traits heavily encouraged in modern football.
Moreover, Hojlund is widely known as a passionate, emotional player who gives everything on the pitch. Manchester United fans have repeatedly praised his professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to the team.
Conclusion: The controversy is just a “social media storm” — and will soon fade
The incident highlights how social media can amplify emotions quickly. A harmless congratulatory comment became the center of criticism simply because Denmark lost.
Yet overall:
- Hojlund did nothing wrong professionally.
- He did not insult anyone or disrespect the national team.
- He simply congratulated a friend and former teammate.
With Denmark still facing a crucial World Cup playoff, many expect this story to fade quickly as attention shifts back to football.
And perhaps Hojlund has learned a small but important lesson: in international football, fan emotions can be far more sensitive than at the club level.