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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many unforgettable events over its rich history since 1903. Add this match to the list. Scotland's long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from 22 yards seemed to have secured victory in a high-scoring affair before Kenny McLean executed an more spectacular fourth.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in added time. Supporters in kilts shed tears. Denmark's participation in the next tournament rests on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy Scottish football community can begin planning solid arrangements.

Researchers could produce work on how exactly the team achieved this. They looked finished at times, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Begins

The match had apparently started in challenging circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. Any sense of disruption was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was one of the most wondrous goals scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass ought to have been difficult for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue roared, not simply in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. Scottish offense was evident in attacking with great intensity; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to hold their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a pass. He departed the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

Højlund soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living far too dangerously, a point highlighted as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. Yet Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Second Half Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would seem like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of play right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the possession right back to those in red.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of controversy attached.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen dived into the ground. After being advised to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark merited but Scotland had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was poor, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had reason to be furious at how easy 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. On this occasion the defense were overly generous.

The striker directed a shot wide. The midfielder's bending attempt just missed the post. Enter Tierney and a strike worthy to deciding the game. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, indeed.