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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many unforgettable occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Include this match to the annals. The Scottish extended drought has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from 22 yards appeared to clinched the win in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean produced an more spectacular final goal.

Almost three decades of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in added time. Supporters in traditional dress cried. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming jamboree rests on qualifiers. The coach and a now ecstatic football nation can prepare solid arrangements.

Researchers could write studies on how exactly the team accomplished this. They appeared finished at moments, no more recently than the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was as though fate had predetermined the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Unfolds

The match had supposedly started in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been due to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of setback was dispelled within the first few minutes.

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

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted delivery ought to have been tricky for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium exploded, not only in recognition of the early lead but the remarkable situation in which it came. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared dynamic. The home team's danger was evident in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but he may well have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his speed. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the player strained when trying to block a cross. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely on the edge, a fact underscored as the defender deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But they made it to the break without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish slackness.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a smart, low stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the remainder would be like the decades since the tournament. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the direction of attacks right from the start of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Danish attacks but immediately giving the possession back to those in red.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of cordite involved.

The referee originally noticed no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the air. After being advised to check by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had reason to be sore about the call.

Late Heroics

All this action-packed match was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing another caution. Then the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, letting the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his path from close range from the net. This time Scotland were overly generous.

Adams flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a moment capable of deciding any match. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, no less.