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Hampden Park has hosted countless memorable occasions over its rich history since 1903. Add this game to the list. The Scottish protracted wait is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose bending strike from outside the box appeared to sealed victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in injury time. Adult fans in kilts cried. The Danish chance in next summer’s jamboree depends on qualifiers. The coach and a now giddy football nation can start making definite plans.

Academics could write papers on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They appeared defeated at times, no more recently than the weekend when suffering a loss in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The match had apparently opened in difficult fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. All disruption was forgotten in the first few minutes.

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

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. His arched delivery ought to have been difficult for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue erupted, not only in recognition of the first goal but the unique situation in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak looked electric. Scottish danger shone in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but he may well have survived a second check if needed. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a significant loss to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing very dangerously, a fact highlighted as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just wide. Yet Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, down stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only required a tie, the direction of play from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Danish offensives but immediately giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of dispute involved.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. Højlund blasted into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side earned but the hosts had reason to be upset about the call.

Final Heroics

All this thrilling encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, allowing the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. Within three minutes, a Danish player placed home after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from the net. On this occasion the defense were too lenient.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn curling shot narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a moment worthy to deciding the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.