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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous historic moments over its illustrious history since 1903. Add this game to the record. Scotland's long wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from distance appeared to sealed victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an even more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark suffered a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts wept. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming event depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a now giddy football nation can begin planning solid arrangements.

Researchers could write work on the manner in which Scotland achieved this. They seemed defeated at moments, no more recently than Saturday when falling to a loss in Athens. It was as though fate had decided the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Game Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly started in difficult circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the pregame. His replacement stepped in. All setback was dispelled within three minutes.

It was among the most wondrous goals delivered at Hampden in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the right. His lofted delivery ought to have been challenging for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, initially. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place roared, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the special context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared dynamic. Scottish danger shone in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a significant setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely recklessly, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder shot just off target. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a quick, low stop in a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of traffic right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark offensives but immediately giving the ball right back to those in red.

As the equaliser came, it came with the scent of cordite attached.

The official initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be angry about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing action-packed game lacked 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 bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had no time to build on their advantage. Within three minutes, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate passed into his way from close range from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams flicked a shot wide. McGinn curling shot just went past the post. Enter the defender and a goal fit to win the game. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, indeed.