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Scotland's national stadium has hosted countless memorable moments over its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the annals. The Scottish protracted wait has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose curling shot from distance seemed to have secured the win in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an still more stunning final goal.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark suffered defeat in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s event depends on qualifiers. The coach and a now giddy football nation can start making solid arrangements.

Academics could produce studies on how on earth the team pulled off this. They seemed defeated at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Athens. It was like fate had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Match Begins

The match had reportedly started in tough fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been due to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of setback was banished in the first few minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular finishes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

The winger jinked and weaved on the wing. His floated pass was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and executed an scissor kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This historic old place exploded, not simply in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique situation in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared dynamic. The home team's offense resonated in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund could have been onside a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish goal and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his speed. It felt a major blow to the manager, then, as the player strained when attempting to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a fact highlighted as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly wide. But Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a excellent chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund forced Gordon into a quick, down stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only required a draw, the flow of traffic right from the start of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Danish attacks but immediately giving the possession back to the players in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the ground. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark merited but the hosts had reason to be angry about the call.

Late Drama

All this exciting match was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, letting Shankland to finish. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. In moments, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from the net. This time Scotland were too generous.

The striker directed a header off target. McGinn bending shot just went past the post. Enter the defender and a strike fit to win any match. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, at that.