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Hampden Park has been the stage for many unforgettable moments over its rich history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the annals. The Scottish protracted wait is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from distance looked like it had clinched success by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean executed an more spectacular fourth.

Almost three decades of frustration, during which Scotland have watched the World Cup from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark suffered defeat in injury time. Adult fans in kilts cried. The Danish chance in next summer’s jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can start making concrete plans.

PhD students could produce work on how exactly the team pulled off this. They seemed defeated at points, as recently as Saturday when falling to defeat in Greece. It was as though fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Kicks Off

The evening had apparently opened in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement filled in. All disruption was dispelled within three minutes.

It was some of the most spectacular strikes delivered at the stadium in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right. His arched delivery should have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place exploded, not only in recognition of the first goal but the special context in which it came. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger looked dynamic. The home team's threat was evident in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he may well have survived a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a pass. He left the pitch on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing extremely dangerously, a fact further emphasised as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just wide. Yet they made it to the halftime unscathed. They were also denied of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, low save in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would be like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only required a draw, the flow of attacks from the start of the half felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Denmark offensives but immediately handing the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of dispute associated.

The official originally noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the run of play, parity was the least the away side earned but Scotland had cause to be sore about the call.

Final Heroics

The only thing thrilling game was missing was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder earning another caution. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his way inside the box from goal. This time Scotland were too lenient.

Adams directed a shot wide. The midfielder's curling attempt narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a strike fit to deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.