Scott Mullen
BBC Scotland

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Anything is possible, even if there's plenty of evidence over the past 27 years to show how hard it will be.

Many stellar players have seen their international career fly by without a sniff of a World Cup. James McFadden. Barry Ferguson. Darren Fletcher. Kenny Miller. David Weir. Scott Brown. Callum McGregor. All terrific players and some of them bunched in squads dripping with talent that just couldn't get the job done.

What none of them - with the exception of McGregor - had that this group hold, though, is experience of getting the job done. Most of Clarke's lot know what it takes to qualify for a major finals having done it twice on his watch already.

Though, for all the headline may read two Euros achieved, there's been some seriously rocky moments over the past few years.

In those six games across both Euros, Scotland never - with perhaps a slight claim against Switzerland last summer - looked deserving of winning any of them. The goal difference reads 12-3 against.

Toppling the Danes will need a heroic effort from whoever Clarke selects, but it's not beyond them. This team silenced the Norwegians in Oslo, suckered the Spanish at Hampden and triumphed in Poland.

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Thanks, Alex.

Good to see the messages have died down since I was last here.

Just one in the pipeline from...

Alan Brazil.

Well, at least it's keeping with the Scotland theme.

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

From Kazakhstan to Luxembourg and on to South America, we've managed to get across plenty of last night's international football.

It is now time to turn our attention to Copenhagen and a big game for Scotland as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign.

And who better to build-up to that than Ben Ramsdale? Over to you, Ben.

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Chelsea forward Estevao scored his first ever goal for Brazil as Carlo Ancelotti's side eased to a 3-0 victory over Chile in World Cup qualifying.

The 18-year-old has started the Premier League season brightly for Chelsea and carried that form through in to the Maracana.

Brazil were already assured of their place at the 2026 World Cup, whilst Chile had nothing to play, with qualification for next summers tournament already out of their reach.

Goals from West Ham's Lucas Paqueta and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes wrapped up victory for the home side but the night belonged to Estevao who's stock continues to rise.

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An emotional Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina in what is expected to be his final competitive match on home soil, saying the moment was something he had "dreamed of".

Lautaro Martinez also scored as the hosts beat Venezuela 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.

The 38-year-old was joined by his three sons and received a standing ovation from a crowd of 80,000 in moving scenes before the match.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in 2022 and has scored a record 114 goals in 194 games for his country.

"There are so many emotions. I've experienced so many things on this field," said Messi.

"It's always a joy to play in Argentina with our people. I'm very happy. Being able to finish in this way here is what I always dreamed of.

"For many years I have had the affection of Barcelona, and my dream was to have it here too, in my country with my people. For many years a lot of things were said but, well, I'll stay with all the good."

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

The 17th and penultimate round of games in South America’s marathon World Cup qualifying took place overnight, with Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay guaranteeing top-six spots to confirm their places at next year’s tournament.

The Colombians were amongst the early pace-setters but a six-match winless run had left fans of Los Cafeteros increasingly nervous of missing out, as they did in 2022. However, James Rodriguez’s opener against Bolivia eased any nerves as the home side ran out 3-0 winners in Barranquilla.

Paraguay’s impressive form over the past 12 months meant they only needed a point to make sure of a first World Cup appearance since 2010, which they duly achieved with a 0-0 draw at home to already qualified Ecuador. Uruguay, meanwhile, got the job done in style by beating Peru 3-0, sending them third in the table.

Defeat in Montevideo eliminated Peru, with the battle for seventh – which will earn a place in March's intercontinental play-offs – now a straight fight between Venezuela and Bolivia.

The Venezuelans, who lost 3-0 away to runaway leaders Argentina, are the only side in South American qualifying never to have played at the World Cup. Known as La Vinotinto because of their burgundy shirts, they will secure seventh if they defeat Colombia in their final match next week or if Bolivia, whose last appearance came at USA ‘94, fail to beat Brazil.

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

We are going to add a bit more of a global feel to this live text now as we look at some results from further afield.

Keep the thoughts on the home nations coming though.

I've promised Ben there will be no more hidden football names in those submissions, I'm looking at you Dwight in York.

Anyway, let's get you up to date with some South American World Cup qualifiers.

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Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley said that manager Michael O'Neill "had a little bit of a go" at his players at half-time in their 3-1 win against 10-man Luxembourg.

Having conceded to go in level at the break, Bradley believes an animated half-time team talk from O'Neill sparked an improved second-half display from Northern Ireland.

"We started the first half really quick, and it was the same second half. Michael had a little bit of a go at us at half-time, it wasn't good enough, rightly so, but we came out all guns blazing second half," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I think we made it difficult for ourselves, we could have played better but second half I think we played some good stuff, and it obviously helped when they went down to 10 men, it made it a bit easier from there and it is nice to get a 3-1 win, its brilliant for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said tough words at half-time brought "the reaction we wanted" as his players delivered Thursday's 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg.

"I thought we started the game very well, we were on the front foot and the penalty helped us obviously," O'Neill told BBC Sport NI.

"We dropped a gear after the goal, let them into it and the goal was coming. We had to get into them at half-time as there were things we could have done better, but we got the reaction we wanted."

Northern Ireland top the group after Slovakia's shock 2-0 win over Germany, with this being the first matchday for Group A.

Wales now sit out the next two Group J matchdays as they play friendlies against Canada and England, before facing Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on 13 October.

In terms of automatic qualification, Wales simply need to win. And win. And win.

The March draw in Skopje against North Macedonia and the dramatic June defeat in Brussels have taken away Wales' wriggle room. A loss against Belgium in Cardiff could realistically leave them trailing the Red Devils by six points with two games to go.

And one of those final fixtures for Belgium – after the long trip to Kazakhstan - is a home tie with group minnows Liechtenstein.

In that scenario, a point from either of those would be enough to deny Wales direct qualification.

Conversely, if Bellamy's side beat Belgium they could potentially go into their own final two fixtures level on points with the former world number one ranked side.

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Wales manager Craig Bellamy said he 'didn't care' about his sides performance after 'crazy' preparation still saw them win 1-0 away in Kazakhstan.

The 7,000-mile round trip was the furthest the men's team had ever travelled for a qualifying match, after just one training session before departing, when their injury-hit squad got to Astana they were met with an artificial pitch.

"Preparation for this was crazy. I'm not going tell you before it," said Bellamy.

"Some players turn up on Sunday, transfer deadline day on Monday and a few of our boys were involved. Then we travelled Tuesday, trained Wednesday – one session. Four hours' time difference, artificial pitch. It's so new.

"I was a little bit more in the unknown than I would usually like to be but to come away with a win, I'm really picky with performances but I don't care."

Time to look at the rest of the reaction from wins for Wales and Northern Ireland last night.

Whilst we are it I want to hear from you:

How many home nations do you think will qualify for the World Cup?

You know where to click to get involved.

But I don't want any 'Gareth, from Bale' submissions please.

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In Europe, there are some teams who will open this international break - or already have done - by playing their first World Cup qualifier.

There are six four-team World Cup qualifying groups that are starting this week, with six five-team groups having already begun earlier this year.

Countries that competed in the Nations League Finals are yet to to play a qualifier, whilst teams such as England have already played three.

The top team from each group qualify for the World Cup automatically, with the runners-up going into play-offs.

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Thanks very much, Ben.

You get yourself off for some lunch and I'll make sure we don't accidently name an England starting eleven through the messages our audience send in.

Anyway, let's dive back in to some more of yesterday's action from Europe and beyond...

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Lovely bit of bonus transfer news for you there.

Only 118 days until the January transfer window opens and these lives are bombarded with that kind of stuff again, for those interested.

More reaction to yesterday’s games now and I’ll hand over to my colleague Alex shortly who can take you through those, plus build-up to Scotland’s match with Denmark.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill is poised to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.

The midfielder is due to sign a two-year deal having left the Clarets at the end of last season.

He will join Belgium international Yannick Carrasco and former Southampton and Watford defender Wesley Hoedt at the club.

Al-Shabab, managed by former Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, lost their opening game of the Saudi Pro League 4-1 to Al-Khaleej.

Brentford, Wolves, Leicester and West Ham were all keen but the 29-year-old has opted to move to Saudi having been impressed by the club's project.

He spent five years at Turf Moor, making 211 appearances and scoring 32 goals. He netted 18 times last season as Burnley finished second in the Championship to return to the Premier League.