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Hampden Park has hosted many unforgettable events throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the record. The Scottish protracted absence has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from outside the box looked like it had sealed victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an even more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark fell to a loss in added time. Grown men in kilts wept. Denmark's qualification in next summer’s jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant Scottish football community can prepare definite arrangements.

Researchers could write papers on the manner in which the team achieved this. They appeared finished at moments, just days before the weekend when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Night Unfolds

The match had apparently opened in tough fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of disruption was banished within three minutes.

It was one of the most amazing finishes scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass was expected to be tricky for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the air and landed an overhead kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place roared, not just in acknowledgment of the first goal but the special context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Contest

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. The home team's threat resonated in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he could have survived a second check if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland area and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big blow to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a pass. He left the field on a medical cart after only the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the net but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very recklessly, a fact underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly off target. But they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a smart, low save within the opening moments of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of attacks from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately handing the possession back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The official originally saw no infringement with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to review by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this thrilling match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, letting Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after Andreas Christensen passed into his way inside the box from goal. This time Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker directed a shot wide. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly missed the post. Then came Tierney and a goal fit to win the contest. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, indeed.