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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for numerous historic occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the list. The Scottish protracted wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose curling shot from distance appeared to secured the win by the odd goal in five until the substitute executed an still more spectacular fourth.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered defeat in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. The Danish participation in next summer’s jamboree depends on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly jubilant football nation can begin planning solid plans.

Academics could produce papers on how on earth the team accomplished this. They looked finished at points, no more recently than the weekend when falling to a loss in Greece. It was like destiny had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The night had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the warmup. His replacement stepped in. All problem was banished within the first few minutes.

It was one of the most wondrous goals produced at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right. His arched cross ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and landed an scissor kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not only in appreciation of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. The home team's threat was evident in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big blow to Clarke, then, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after only the first half.

The striker shortly had the goal in the goal but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing extremely recklessly, a fact highlighted as the defender deflected a midfielder drive just wide. Yet Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced the keeper into a sharp, low stop within the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the half would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only required a draw, the flow of traffic from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark offensives but immediately handing the possession right back to those in red.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of cordite involved.

The official initially noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund blasted home. On the balance, parity was the minimum Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be sore about the call.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling encounter lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, letting the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate laid into his path from close range from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly generous.

The striker directed a header off target. The midfielder's curling attempt narrowly missed the upright. Enter the defender and a moment capable of deciding any match. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.