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Hampden Park has hosted many memorable occasions throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. Scotland's protracted wait is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from distance seemed to have secured success in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an even more spectacular final goal.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered a loss in stoppage time. Supporters in traditional dress shed tears. The Danish participation in the next event depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can begin planning definite arrangements.

Academics could write work on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They looked finished at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was almost as if fate had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Night 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 pregame. His replacement filled in. Any sense of setback was banished in the opening moments.

This was some of the most spectacular strikes produced at Hampden in modern history.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass ought to have been difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place roared, not just in recognition of the opening goal but the unique circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. Scottish danger resonated in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but he may well have been onside a further inspection were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major blow to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living far too dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly wide. But they made it to the break unscathed. They were even robbed of a golden opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition slackness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a quick, low stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only needed a tie, the flow of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark attacks but promptly handing the possession right back to those in red.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the whiff of dispute involved.

The official initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen 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 pointed to the spot. Højlund blasted home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had reason to be angry about the decision.

Late Action

All this action-packed match was missing was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then the coach made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker directed a header wide. The midfielder's curling attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a goal fit to win any match. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, indeed.