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Hampden Park has witnessed countless historic events over its long history since 1903. Remember this match to the annals. Scotland's long wait has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from outside the box appeared to clinched the win by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an more spectacular fourth.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched men’s World Cups from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark fell to a loss in stoppage time. Supporters in traditional dress cried. The Danish chance in the upcoming jamboree hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a now giddy country can start making solid arrangements.

PhD students could develop studies on how exactly the team accomplished this. They seemed defeated at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The night had supposedly started in challenging circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been due to partner the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement stepped in. All setback was forgotten in three minutes.

This was some of the most amazing goals scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery should have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and landed an overhead kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not just in recognition of the first goal but the special circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak seemed explosive. The home team's offense shone in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing far too recklessly, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But Scotland reached the break still ahead. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out McGinn, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

Højlund made Gordon into a quick, low save in 90 seconds of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would be like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the flow of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish offensives but immediately handing the possession right back to those in red.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of dispute associated.

The referee initially noticed no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Drama

All this exciting encounter lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn earning a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. In three minutes, a Danish player placed home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from the net. This time Scotland were overly careless.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a goal capable of win the game. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.