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Hampden Park has hosted countless unforgettable events over its rich history since 1903. Add this match to the annals. Scotland's long absence has concluded. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from 22 yards seemed to have clinched victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an more stunning fourth.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in the next jamboree hinges on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can start making definite plans.

Researchers could produce studies on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They appeared defeated at points, no more recently than Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The night had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of setback was banished in three minutes.

This was among the most amazing finishes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. His lofted delivery was expected to be challenging for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and landed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium roared, not just in recognition of the first goal but the remarkable context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed dynamic. The home team's threat resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but he might have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big setback to Clarke, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a cross. He departed the scene on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living extremely recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly off target. But they made it to the break without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, low stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only required a draw, the flow of traffic from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal came, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The referee originally saw no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to review by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least the away side merited but Scotland had cause to be upset about the call.

Late Heroics

All this exciting game was missing was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking McGinn bringing a second caution. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to build on their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a header wide. The midfielder's curling attempt just missed the post. Then came the defender and a strike fit to win the game. McLean added gloss: from the center circle, indeed.