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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous unforgettable occasions over its long history since 1903. Remember this one to the record. Scotland's extended drought has concluded. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose curling shot from outside the box seemed to have sealed success by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered a loss in added time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's qualification in the next event rests on March playoffs. The coach and a now giddy football nation can begin planning definite plans.

Researchers could write work on the manner in which Scotland achieved this. They appeared defeated at points, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was as though fate had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Match Unfolds

The night had apparently started in tough fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the warmup. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of setback was forgotten in three minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular finishes scored at Hampden in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right. His floated pass should have been tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, he propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place roared, not simply in appreciation of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed electric. The home team's threat resonated in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The offside flag was up but he could have survived a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major blow to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He departed the scene on a stretcher after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was penalised for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very dangerously, a fact highlighted as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly off target. Yet Scotland reached the halftime unscathed. They were even robbed of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a sharp, down save in the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the flow of attacks right from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in stopping Denmark attacks but immediately handing the ball back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The referee initially saw no foul with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

The only thing thrilling game lacked was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was shambolic, letting Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. Within moments, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were too generous.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to win any match. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, no less.