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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous historic events throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the list. Scotland's long drought is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose bending effort from distance seemed to have sealed the win by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an more breathtaking clincher.

Almost three decades of heartache, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from afar, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Adult fans in kilts shed tears. The Danish qualification in the next event rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can start making definite plans.

PhD students could develop studies on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They seemed down and out at moments, no more recently than Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Kicks Off

The night had apparently opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of problem was forgotten in the opening moments.

It was some of the most spectacular goals scored at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His lofted pass should have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, he launched himself into the sky and landed an bicycle kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place erupted, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the remarkable context in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed electric. The home team's threat was evident in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he might have been onside a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant blow to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to block a pass. He left the pitch on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were playing very dangerously, a point highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder shot just off target. Yet they reached the break without conceding. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish slackness.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, low save in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would feel like the decades since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of play right from the start of the second period felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately giving the ball right back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser came, it came with the scent of controversy associated.

The referee originally noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. In fact, it seemed the player dived into the air. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but the hosts had cause to be upset about the call.

Final Action

The only thing action-packed game was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn earning a second caution. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. In moments, a Danish player stroked into the net after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were overly generous.

The striker flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to win the game. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, indeed.