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Hampden Park has witnessed countless unforgettable occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the list. Scotland's protracted wait has concluded. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from 22 yards seemed to have sealed victory in a five-goal thriller before the substitute delivered an more breathtaking final goal.

Almost three decades of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark fell to a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts cried. Denmark's participation in the next jamboree hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a now giddy football nation can start making solid plans.

Researchers could produce papers on the manner in which the team achieved this. They looked defeated at times, no more recently than the weekend when falling to a loss in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Game Begins

The night had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All problem was dispelled within the opening moments.

It was one of the most spectacular strikes produced at the stadium in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. His lofted cross should have been difficult for McTominay to navigate. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous stadium roared, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it occurred. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. Scottish offense shone in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish goal and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He departed the scene on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely recklessly, a fact further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly wide. But they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish slackness.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced the keeper into a smart, low stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of traffic from the start of the half felt threatening for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly giving the possession right back to those in red.

When the equaliser came, it came with the hint of controversy attached.

The official initially saw no foul with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing thrilling encounter was missing was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Then the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to score. The substitute, introduced for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion the defense were too lenient.

The striker flicked a header wide. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the upright. Then came the defender and a strike worthy to deciding any match. The substitute sealed it: from the halfway line, indeed.