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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous unforgettable occasions over its rich history since 1903. Add this match to the list. The Scottish long wait has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose swerving effort from distance seemed to have clinched victory in a five-goal thriller before the substitute produced an even more stunning clincher.

Almost 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered a loss in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's qualification in the next tournament hinges on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant football nation can begin planning solid arrangements.

PhD students could develop work on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They looked defeated at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Kicks Off

The night had apparently started in tough circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warmup. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of problem was banished within the first few minutes.

This was some of the most amazing finishes delivered at the stadium in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, initially. Rather, he propelled himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This historic old place roared, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the special situation in which it came. Amazing.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed dynamic. The home team's threat shone in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a VAR review if needed. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a major loss to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living very on the edge, a fact highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive just off target. But they reached the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made Gordon into a smart, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the flow of attacks from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Danish attacks but promptly giving the ball back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of controversy attached.

The referee originally saw no foul with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund blasted into the net. On the balance, parity was the least the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Heroics

All this exciting game was missing was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn earning a second caution. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, allowing Shankland to finish. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

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

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a goal fit to deciding the game. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.