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Hampden Park has been the stage for many historic events throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the annals. The Scottish extended wait has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending strike from 22 yards looked like it had sealed success by the odd goal in five before the substitute executed an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 27 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's participation in next summer’s event rests on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can begin planning definite plans.

Academics could produce studies on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They appeared finished at times, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like destiny had decided the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The match had apparently started in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was forgotten in three minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular finishes produced at Hampden in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His arched delivery ought to have been difficult for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from the net, initially. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and planted an scissor kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place roared, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the remarkable circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish threat was evident in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but he could have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland area and the defender blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very recklessly, a point underscored as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly wide. Yet Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a golden chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish slackness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a smart, down save within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only required a tie, the flow of attacks from the onset of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Denmark attacks but immediately giving the ball right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal came, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The referee initially saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side merited but the hosts had cause to be sore about the call.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling match lacked was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing a second caution. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be furious at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

Adams directed a shot off target. The midfielder's curling shot just missed the upright. Enter the defender and a goal capable of deciding any match. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.