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Hampden Park has been the stage for many memorable occasions over its rich history since 1903. Include this game to the annals. The Scottish long drought is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose bending effort from distance appeared to clinched success by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an even more stunning final goal.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from a distance, were wiped away as Denmark fell to defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts cried. The Danish chance in the next event rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can prepare solid arrangements.

Academics could produce papers on the manner in which Scotland achieved this. They seemed down and out at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was as though destiny had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had supposedly started in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was forgotten within three minutes.

This was among the most wondrous goals scored at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His arched pass should have been difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and executed an overhead kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue erupted, not only in recognition of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak seemed dynamic. Scottish danger was evident in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to hold their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a big blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a pass. He left the scene on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely on the edge, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder shot just off target. But they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a great opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, low stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, the half would seem like the 27 years since the tournament. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of attacks right from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were managing – somewhat – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately handing the possession back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of dispute associated.

The official initially noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen went down into the ground. After being advised to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, parity was the least the away side merited but Scotland had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing thrilling match lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder bringing a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, letting the striker to finish. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In three minutes, a Danish player stroked home after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion Scotland were overly careless.

Adams directed a header wide. McGinn bending attempt just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a strike capable of deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the center circle, indeed.