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Hampden Park has hosted numerous memorable occasions over its rich history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the annals. The Scottish long drought has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from distance appeared to sealed success in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean executed an even more stunning final goal.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from afar, were erased as the Danish team fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in kilts shed tears. The Danish qualification in the next event hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can start making solid plans.

Academics could write studies on how exactly Scotland pulled off this. They seemed down and out at times, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was banished within the opening moments.

It was one of the most amazing finishes produced at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His arched pass should have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from the net, initially. Rather, he catapulted himself into the sky and planted an overhead kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not just in recognition of the early lead but the unique situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Game Contest

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak seemed dynamic. The home team's offense shone in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland area and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major loss to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the field on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a point underscored as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just wide. Yet they reached the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Action

The attacker made Gordon into a sharp, low save within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the remainder would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a draw, the flow of attacks from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – partially – in breaking up Denmark offensives but promptly giving the ball right back to those in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of controversy attached.

The official originally noticed no infringement with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the air. After being advised to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the balance, parity was the least the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be upset about the call.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed match lacked was a sending off. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. In moments, a Danish player stroked home after a teammate passed into his way inside the box from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the upright. Enter Tierney and a goal fit to deciding any match. McLean provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.