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Hampden Park has hosted numerous unforgettable occasions throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the annals. Scotland's extended drought has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling strike from distance seemed to have secured the win by the odd goal in five until the substitute executed an still more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as the Danish team suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. The Danish chance in next summer’s event rests on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can begin planning solid plans.

Academics could develop papers on how exactly the team accomplished this. They seemed down and out at points, as recently as the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Unfolds

The match had reportedly started in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of setback was forgotten within the opening moments.

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

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross should have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and landed an overhead kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue roared, not just in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked electric. Scottish offense shone in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he might have survived a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland area and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a pass. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living extremely dangerously, a fact further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive narrowly off target. Yet they reached the break unscathed. They were also denied of a excellent chance of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, low stop within a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the decades since the tournament. Given Denmark only required a tie, the direction of traffic right from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – to a point – in disrupting Danish attacks but immediately handing the possession right back to the players in red.

As the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee originally noticed nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it appeared the player flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. Højlund blasted into the net. On the run of play, parity was the minimum Denmark deserved but Scotland had cause to be upset about the call.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling encounter was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to pay dividends. The Danish marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, allowing Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, produced 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 advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his way from close range from the net. This time Scotland were too generous.

The striker flicked a shot off target. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the upright. Enter Tierney and a goal worthy to win any match. The substitute sealed it: from the halfway line, no less.