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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless memorable events over its illustrious history since 1903. Include this game to the record. The Scottish protracted drought is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from outside the box seemed to have secured the win in a high-scoring affair until the substitute executed an more stunning fourth.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the global tournament from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Supporters in kilts wept. The Danish participation in the upcoming jamboree hinges on playoff matches. The coach and a now ecstatic football nation can begin planning definite plans.

Researchers could write papers on the manner in which the team achieved this. They seemed finished at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had decided the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Unfolds

The match had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of problem was banished within the opening moments.

It was some of the most spectacular goals produced at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His arched delivery should have been difficult for McTominay to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and landed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous stadium exploded, not just in recognition of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive aggressively; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scottish goal and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big blow to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were living far too on the edge, a fact underscored as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly off target. Yet Scotland made it to the break without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender smartly taking out McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, low save within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would be like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only required a draw, the direction of traffic right from the start of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in breaking up Denmark attacks but immediately handing the ball right back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of dispute attached.

The referee initially noticed no infringement with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen went down into the ground. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side earned but the hosts had reason to be sore about the decision.

Late Heroics

The only thing thrilling match was missing was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder earning a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate passed into his path from close range from the net. On this occasion the defense were too lenient.

The striker flicked a header wide. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a goal capable of deciding any match. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, at that.