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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous memorable events over its rich history since 1903. Remember this one to the record. The Scottish extended absence has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose swerving shot from distance appeared to sealed the win by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an even more breathtaking fourth.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. The Danish participation in next summer’s event depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly giddy football nation can prepare definite arrangements.

Academics could produce papers on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They seemed finished at times, as recently as the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The night had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the pregame. His replacement filled in. All disruption was forgotten in the opening moments.

This was one of the most wondrous finishes produced at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right flank. His floated delivery was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the air and executed an overhead kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue roared, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the remarkable situation in which it came. Incredible.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared dynamic. The home team's offense resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund could have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant setback to the manager, then, as the player strained when attempting to block a cross. He departed the field on a stretcher after only the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker made Gordon into a quick, low stop within a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would be like the long wait since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only required a tie, the direction of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark offensives but promptly handing the possession back to the players in red.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of dispute involved.

The official originally noticed no infringement with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be upset about the decision.

Final Heroics

All this action-packed match was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing another caution. Now the coach made a change by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, letting Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after a teammate laid into his path from close range from the net. This time the defense were overly lenient.

Adams directed a shot off target. The midfielder's curling shot narrowly missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a strike capable of deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, no less.