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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless unforgettable events over its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish long wait is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling effort from distance looked like it had clinched the win in a five-goal thriller until the substitute executed an more stunning final goal.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Adult fans in kilts wept. The Danish chance in next summer’s tournament hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic country can prepare concrete plans.

Academics could develop studies on how on earth the team pulled off this. They looked down and out at times, no more recently than Saturday when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The night had apparently started in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement filled in. All disruption was dispelled in the opening moments.

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

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery ought to have been difficult for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from the net, for starters. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and landed an scissor kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place erupted, not just in appreciation of the first goal but the special context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. The home team's threat was evident in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was through on goal. The offside flag was up but Højlund might have survived a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to hold their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major setback to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living very dangerously, a point underscored as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly wide. But Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition slackness.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a smart, down stop in the opening moments of the second half. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would be like the long wait since the tournament. Given Denmark only required a draw, the flow of traffic right from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Danish offensives but immediately giving the possession right back to the players in red.

When the equaliser came, it came with the scent of dispute involved.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be upset about the call.

Final Drama

All this exciting match lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking McGinn bringing another yellow card. Then the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had reason to be furious at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. Within three minutes, a Danish player stroked home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. This time Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker flicked a header wide. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a moment fit to deciding the game. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, at that.