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Scotland's national stadium has hosted countless memorable moments over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the record. The Scottish extended drought has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from 22 yards appeared to secured success by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an more breathtaking final goal.

Almost three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from a distance, were erased as the Danish team fell to a loss in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. The Danish qualification in the next tournament rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant football nation can prepare solid plans.

PhD students could write studies on how exactly the team pulled off this. They looked down and out at moments, no more recently than Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was as though fate had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Kicks Off

The evening had apparently started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was banished within the opening moments.

It was some of the most wondrous finishes delivered at the stadium in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass ought to have been difficult for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue roared, not simply in recognition of the opening goal but the special context in which it came. Incredible.

Game Struggle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed electric. The home team's danger resonated in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have been onside a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to block a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after only the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was called for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living very on the edge, a point underscored as the defender turned a midfielder shot just off target. But they made it to the break without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Action

Højlund made Gordon into a smart, low stop in 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 Denmark only required a tie, the direction of attacks from the start of the half felt worrying for the hosts. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Denmark offensives but immediately giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of dispute involved.

The referee initially saw no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side earned but Scotland had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Final Action

All this action-packed game lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn earning another yellow card. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, allowing the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. Within a short time, a Danish player placed into the net after a teammate passed into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly generous.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn bending shot just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a goal worthy to deciding the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.