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Hampden Park has been the stage for countless memorable events over its rich history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the record. Scotland's extended absence is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from 22 yards appeared to secured the win by the odd goal in five until the substitute produced an more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark suffered defeat in injury time. Adult fans in kilts wept. Denmark's participation in next summer’s tournament rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a now jubilant country can begin planning solid plans.

PhD students could write papers on how on earth Scotland pulled off this. They seemed defeated at moments, just days before the weekend when suffering defeat in Greece. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Begins

The night had supposedly started in difficult fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was dispelled within the first few minutes.

It was one of the most wondrous finishes scored at the stadium in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted delivery ought to have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place erupted, not only in recognition of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish offense shone in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have been onside a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a big blow to Clarke, then, as the player strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the net but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a point underscored as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly off target. But Scotland made it to the halftime unscathed. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of opposition slackness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a smart, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would seem like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only needed a tie, the direction of attacks right from the start of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark offensives but promptly handing the ball back to the players in red.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of controversy attached.

The official initially saw no foul with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player went down into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had cause to be sore about the decision.

Late Action

All this thrilling encounter lacked was a red card. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too lenient.

Adams flicked a header wide. McGinn bending attempt narrowly went past the upright. Then came the defender and a strike worthy to deciding the contest. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, no less.