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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many memorable events throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the list. Scotland's extended drought has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose curling strike from 22 yards appeared to sealed victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean delivered an more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have watched the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in injury time. Supporters in kilts wept. Denmark's chance in the next tournament depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a now jubilant football nation can prepare definite plans.

PhD students could write studies on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They appeared finished at moments, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Night Kicks Off

The match had supposedly started in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to partner the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of problem was dispelled within the first few minutes.

This was one of the most amazing goals delivered at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. His arched cross was expected to be difficult for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the air and planted an scissor kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium exploded, not simply in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed electric. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but he might have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to hold their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant loss to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing extremely on the edge, a fact highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. Yet Scotland made it to the break without conceding. They were also denied of a great chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a sharp, down save in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would be like the long wait since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only required a tie, the flow of attacks right from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Danish offensives but promptly handing the ball right back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the hint of controversy involved.

The official initially noticed no infringement with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the ground. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be angry about the call.

Final Heroics

All this thrilling encounter was missing was a sending off. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder earning another yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from the net. This time Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker directed a header wide. McGinn curling attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to deciding the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.