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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous memorable moments throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Add this one to the list. The Scottish extended wait has concluded. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from distance seemed to have sealed the win in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean delivered an still more stunning fourth.

Nearly 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress wept. The Danish participation in the next event depends on qualifiers. The coach and a now ecstatic country can prepare solid arrangements.

PhD students could produce studies on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They seemed defeated at points, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was as though fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The actions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The evening had supposedly opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All setback was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was among the most wondrous strikes delivered at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His floated cross was expected to be tricky for McTominay to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish offense shone in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have survived a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a cross. He left the scene on a stretcher after only the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living far too dangerously, a fact highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet Scotland made it to the break without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a quick, low stop in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark attacks but immediately giving the possession right back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the hint of cordite involved.

The referee initially saw no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to review by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark earned but Scotland had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Drama

The only thing action-packed game lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, letting the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. Within three minutes, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. This time Scotland were too careless.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn bending shot just missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a moment capable of deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the center circle, at that.