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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous historic events throughout its rich history since 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish long drought has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from outside the box appeared to clinched success in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean executed an even more breathtaking clincher.

Almost 27 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. The Danish participation in the upcoming jamboree depends on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can start making solid plans.

Academics could develop papers on how exactly the team pulled off this. They appeared down and out at points, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was as though destiny had predetermined the Scots had endured sufficient for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Unfolds

The match had reportedly opened in difficult fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement filled in. Any sense of setback was dispelled in the opening moments.

It was among the most amazing strikes produced at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s arched delivery was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the air and planted an scissor kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue exploded, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the special context in which it occurred. Incredible.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed dynamic. Scottish offense resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; the goalkeeper saved from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have survived a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to keep their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant blow to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But they made it to the break unscathed. They were even denied of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish slackness.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund forced the keeper into a sharp, low save within the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the remainder would be like the long wait since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of attacks right from the start of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in stopping Denmark attacks but promptly giving the ball right back to the players in red.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of dispute associated.

The official initially noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge 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. The striker drilled into the net. On the run of play, parity was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this thrilling game lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing 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 corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within moments, a Danish player slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his path from close range from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams flicked a header wide. The midfielder's bending shot just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a moment capable of win any match. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, indeed.