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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous historic events over its illustrious history since 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland's extended absence has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from distance looked like it had clinched victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute executed an even more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress wept. Denmark's participation in the upcoming jamboree rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a now giddy Scottish football community can begin planning definite arrangements.

Researchers could develop studies on how on earth the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at points, no more recently than the weekend when suffering a loss in Athens. It was almost as if fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The evening had supposedly started in challenging circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in central defence, was injured in the warmup. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of problem was forgotten within three minutes.

It was one of the most wondrous finishes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross should have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from goal, initially. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous old place erupted, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique context in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish danger resonated in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have been onside a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland area and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a major loss to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living very recklessly, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just off target. Yet Scotland reached the break unscathed. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, down save in the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a tie, the flow of play right from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of cordite attached.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. Højlund blasted into the net. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be sore about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing thrilling encounter was missing was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn earning another caution. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a strike capable of deciding the contest. McLean added gloss: from the center circle, no less.