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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many historic occasions throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Include this game to the annals. Scotland's protracted wait has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving strike from outside the box appeared to clinched victory in a high-scoring affair before the substitute produced an more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. The Danish participation in next summer’s tournament rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can prepare concrete plans.

PhD students could produce work on how on earth the team pulled off this. They looked down and out at moments, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The match had reportedly started in challenging fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was forgotten in the first few minutes.

It was among the most spectacular goals scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched delivery ought to have been difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from the net, initially. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and landed an scissor kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place roared, not only in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique context in which it occurred. Incredible.

Game Struggle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger looked electric. Scottish danger resonated in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but he may well have been onside a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to block a pass. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing far too recklessly, a fact highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the break unscathed. They were even robbed of a great opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced the keeper into a sharp, down save within the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would be like the decades since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only needed a tie, the direction of traffic from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly handing the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the whiff of controversy attached.

The referee originally saw no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the run of play, parity was the least Denmark deserved but Scotland had reason to be angry about the decision.

Final Drama

All this exciting encounter was missing was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder earning a second yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from the net. This time Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot wide. McGinn bending shot narrowly went past the upright. Then came Tierney and a moment capable of deciding the contest. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, at that.