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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous memorable moments over its illustrious history since 1903. Include this match to the record. The Scottish long wait has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from outside the box seemed to have clinched victory in a five-goal thriller before the substitute delivered an still more spectacular fourth.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were erased as the Danish team fell to a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts cried. The Danish qualification in the upcoming event rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a now giddy Scottish football community can start making concrete plans.

Researchers could write papers on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed defeated at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The evening had reportedly started in difficult circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. All disruption was banished within the opening moments.

It was among the most amazing strikes delivered at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His floated cross ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue erupted, not only in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique context in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked dynamic. Scottish threat resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scottish goal and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant blow to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after just the opening period.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the break without conceding. They were even robbed of a great opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a smart, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of traffic from the start of the half felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly handing the possession back to the players in red.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen went down into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had cause to be angry about the call.

Late Action

The only thing exciting encounter was missing was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to extend their advantage. In a short time, a Danish player placed into the net after a teammate laid into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

Adams directed a shot wide. McGinn bending attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a strike fit to win any match. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, no less.