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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many unforgettable moments over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish long drought is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from 22 yards appeared to secured the win in a five-goal thriller until the substitute delivered an more spectacular clincher.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in injury time. Grown men in kilts wept. Denmark's participation in the next event rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can start making solid plans.

Researchers could develop studies on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They seemed finished at points, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Greece. It was like destiny had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Night Begins

The night had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was dispelled within the first few minutes.

It was some of the most amazing goals scored at Hampden in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross was expected to be tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue erupted, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique circumstances in which it came. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed dynamic. The home team's threat resonated in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have survived a VAR review if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scotland area and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his quickness. It felt a significant setback to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a cross. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were playing extremely on the edge, a fact underscored as the defender turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet Scotland reached the break without conceding. They were even denied of a great chance of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish slackness.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, down stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would feel like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of traffic from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Danish offensives but immediately giving the ball back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of cordite attached.

The referee originally noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the overall play, parity was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Action

All this thrilling game was missing was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder earning another caution. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, letting Shankland to score. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too lenient.

The striker directed a header wide. McGinn curling shot narrowly missed the post. Then came Tierney and a goal capable of win the contest. McLean added gloss: from the center circle, no less.