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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless unforgettable occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Include this match to the record. The Scottish long drought has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose curling shot from 22 yards appeared to secured success by the odd goal in five until the substitute executed an even more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as the Danish team suffered defeat in injury time. Supporters in kilts cried. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming tournament rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can prepare concrete plans.

PhD students could write work on how on earth Scotland pulled off this. They seemed defeated at moments, no more recently than the weekend when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Unfolds

The night had reportedly opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. All disruption was forgotten in the opening moments.

This was one of the most wondrous strikes scored at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched cross ought to have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and planted an overhead kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous venue erupted, not only in recognition of the early lead but the unique context in which it came. Wow.

Game Struggle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund could have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to hold their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big blow to the manager, then, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He departed the scene on a stretcher after just the first half.

The striker shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were playing extremely recklessly, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a smart, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would be like the decades since the tournament. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of attacks right from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Danish offensives but immediately giving the possession right back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the hint of controversy involved.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the air. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark merited but Scotland had reason to be sore about the decision.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the night on a marauding midfielder earning a second yellow card. Then the coach twisted by introducing the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the post. Enter the defender and a strike fit to deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, at that.