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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous historic events over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the list. The Scottish long drought has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose bending strike from 22 yards looked like it had clinched the win in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean produced an even more breathtaking final goal.

Almost three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the global tournament from afar, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. The Danish chance in the upcoming jamboree rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic country can start making definite plans.

Academics could develop papers on how exactly the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at points, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Game Kicks Off

The night had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been due to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of problem was banished in three minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular goals delivered at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His floated delivery was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the air and landed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue exploded, not simply in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed explosive. Scottish threat was evident in attacking with great intensity; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was up but he might have survived a second check if needed. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely on the edge, a point underscored as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the half would be like the decades since the tournament. Given Denmark only required a draw, the direction of traffic from the onset of the half felt ominous for the home team. They were managing – to a point – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly handing the ball back to the players in red.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of dispute involved.

The official originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum the away side merited but Scotland had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking McGinn bringing another caution. Then the coach twisted by throwing on the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, letting Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. Within three minutes, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from the net. On this occasion the defense were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's curling shot narrowly went past the post. Then came the defender and a goal capable of win any match. McLean provided the finish: from the midfield, no less.