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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous historic occasions throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the annals. Scotland's long absence has concluded. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from outside the box seemed to have sealed success in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean produced an still more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from afar, were erased as the Danish team fell to a loss in added time. Supporters in kilts wept. The Danish participation in next summer’s jamboree depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant football nation can prepare definite arrangements.

PhD students could write papers on the manner in which Scotland achieved this. They seemed defeated at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Night Unfolds

The match had apparently opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of setback was banished in three minutes.

It was among the most wondrous finishes scored at Hampden in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted delivery was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, initially. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the air and planted an overhead kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium erupted, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the remarkable circumstances in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak looked electric. Scottish danger was evident in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their lead.

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

The striker shortly had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were living very on the edge, a point underscored as the defender turned a midfielder drive just off target. But they made it to the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a great chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, low save within a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would seem like the decades since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of traffic right from the start of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately handing the ball right back to the players in red.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of controversy associated.

The official originally noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least Denmark deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Heroics

All this action-packed game was missing was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder earning a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to work out. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, letting Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn bending attempt just went past the post. Then came the defender and a goal fit to deciding the contest. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, no less.