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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous historic events over its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the record. Scotland's long absence has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from outside the box appeared to sealed the win by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an more spectacular fourth.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in stoppage time. Supporters in kilts shed tears. Denmark's participation in the upcoming event rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic country can start making concrete arrangements.

Researchers could develop papers on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed finished at points, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The night had apparently opened in tough fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the warmup. His replacement filled in. Any sense of problem was forgotten in the opening moments.

It was among the most spectacular finishes produced at Hampden in recent times.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right. His arched delivery should have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an scissor kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned old place erupted, not just in recognition of the opening goal but the special situation in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared explosive. Scottish offense was evident in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund could have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his quickness. It felt a major setback to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a pass. He departed the field on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too on the edge, a fact highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the break without conceding. They were also denied of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, down save within the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the remainder would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a tie, the direction of traffic from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – partially – in disrupting Danish attacks but promptly handing the possession right back to those in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of dispute attached.

The official originally saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark earned but Scotland had reason to be upset about the call.

Late Action

All this action-packed encounter was missing was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn earning another yellow card. Now Clarke made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was poor, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from the net. This time Scotland were overly generous.

Adams directed a header wide. McGinn bending shot just missed the upright. Enter the defender and a goal capable of win the game. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, no less.