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Hampden Park has hosted many memorable moments throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the annals. The Scottish long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling effort from 22 yards seemed to have secured the win in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an even more stunning clincher.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. The Danish participation in the upcoming tournament rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can prepare solid arrangements.

Researchers could write papers on the manner in which Scotland achieved this. They looked finished at times, as recently as the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though destiny had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Match Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley took his place. All disruption was forgotten within the opening moments.

This was some of the most spectacular strikes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass ought to have been challenging for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue exploded, not only in acknowledgment of the early lead but the remarkable context in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed dynamic. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland area and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to hold their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant loss to Clarke, then, as the player strained when trying to block a pass. He left the scene on a medical cart after only the opening period.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living far too on the edge, a point highlighted as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But they reached the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, low stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the long wait since the tournament. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of attacks right from the start of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Danish offensives but immediately handing the ball right back to those in red.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The official initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the air. After being advised to check by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. The striker blasted home. On the balance, parity was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Action

The only thing action-packed match was missing was a red card. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another caution. Then the coach made a change by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly generous.

Adams directed a shot wide. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the post. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to deciding the game. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, at that.