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Hampden Park has been the stage for numerous historic occasions throughout its long history since 1903. Add this game to the list. Scotland's long wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose swerving effort from distance seemed to have secured the win by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an still more breathtaking clincher.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were erased as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts wept. The Danish qualification in the next event depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a now jubilant country can start making concrete arrangements.

Academics could write papers on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked down and out at times, as recently as the weekend when suffering a loss in Athens. It was like fate had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Game Begins

The match had reportedly started in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the pregame. His replacement stepped in. All setback was banished within the first few minutes.

This was among the most amazing strikes scored at Hampden in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. His floated delivery was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from the net, initially. Instead, he launched himself into the air and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place exploded, not just in recognition of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed explosive. Scottish threat shone in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big loss to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a pass. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing far too dangerously, a fact underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. But they made it to the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a excellent opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, down stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only required a tie, the flow of attacks right from the start of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but promptly handing the possession right back to the players in red.

As the tying goal came, it came with the hint of controversy involved.

The referee originally saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker blasted home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be sore about the call.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling game was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second caution. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, letting the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from goal. This time Scotland were overly careless.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the upright. Enter Tierney and a strike capable of win the game. McLean provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.