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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless memorable moments over its long history dating back to 1903. Include this match to the record. Scotland's 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 shot from distance seemed to have clinched success by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an even more stunning fourth.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were erased as the Danish team suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in kilts wept. Denmark's chance in the upcoming tournament rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a now ecstatic football nation can prepare concrete arrangements.

PhD students could write work on how exactly Scotland accomplished this. They appeared down and out at points, just days before the weekend when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Night Unfolds

The night had supposedly opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of disruption was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was some of the most amazing finishes delivered at Hampden in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His arched pass should have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and planted an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium erupted, not just in recognition of the opening goal but the special situation in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared explosive. Scottish threat was evident in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have survived a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to hold their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too dangerously, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly wide. But they made it to the break still ahead. They were even robbed of a golden chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Action

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, down stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the remainder would be like the long wait since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only required a tie, the direction of traffic right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Denmark attacks but promptly handing the possession right back to the players in red.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of cordite involved.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark deserved but the hosts had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing another yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by bringing on the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an curling midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their advantage. Within moments, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate laid into his way from close range from goal. On this occasion Scotland were overly generous.

The striker flicked a header off target. McGinn bending shot just missed the upright. Then came the defender and a moment fit to deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, indeed.