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Hampden Park has witnessed many historic moments over its rich history since 1903. Remember this game to the record. Scotland's protracted wait has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose swerving strike from distance seemed to have secured victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an more spectacular final goal.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched men’s World Cups from a distance, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to defeat in added time. Supporters in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in the next jamboree depends on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy Scottish football community can begin planning definite plans.

Researchers could develop work on how exactly Scotland pulled off this. They appeared finished at moments, no more recently than the weekend when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The night had reportedly started in tough fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. All disruption was dispelled within the first few minutes.

This was among the most wondrous goals produced at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted pass should have been difficult for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the remarkable context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Contest

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger looked dynamic. The home team's danger shone in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have survived a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scotland area and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a big setback to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to stop a pass. He left the field on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very recklessly, a point further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just off target. But Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a golden chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a quick, down stop within 90 seconds of the second half. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the decades since the tournament. Given the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of play from the onset of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly handing the ball back to the players in the away kit.

As the tying goal came, it came with the hint of dispute associated.

The referee initially noticed no infringement with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark deserved but Scotland had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Action

All this exciting match was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach made a change by bringing on the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, allowing Shankland to finish. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from goal. This time the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot narrowly went past the upright. Then came Tierney and a goal capable of deciding the contest. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, no less.