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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many historic occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the record. The Scottish extended drought is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose curling effort from 22 yards seemed to have sealed victory in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean executed an more stunning fourth.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in injury time. Adult fans in kilts shed tears. Denmark's chance in the next event depends on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly jubilant country can begin planning concrete plans.

Researchers could produce papers on the manner in which the team achieved this. They seemed defeated at times, just days before the weekend when suffering a loss in Athens. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. All disruption was banished in the opening moments.

This was among the most amazing strikes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched delivery ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue roared, not just in appreciation of the early lead but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed explosive. The home team's danger was evident in attacking aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he may well have been onside a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely on the edge, a fact underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. But they made it to the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Second Half Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, low stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would seem like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of traffic from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Danish attacks but promptly giving the possession back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the hint of dispute involved.

The official initially noticed nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the air. After being instructed to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Action

The only thing exciting match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder earning a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate passed into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling shot just missed the upright. Enter the defender and a strike fit to win the contest. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, indeed.