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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous historic events throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the annals. The Scottish protracted drought has concluded. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from 22 yards seemed to have clinched success in a five-goal thriller until the substitute delivered an more breathtaking clincher.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were erased as the Danish team suffered a loss in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's participation in the next jamboree hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a now ecstatic country can prepare definite plans.

Researchers could develop papers on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They appeared finished at points, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Begins

The night had supposedly opened in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was forgotten within three minutes.

This was one of the most wondrous strikes delivered at the stadium in living memory.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His lofted delivery ought to have been challenging for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium exploded, not only in appreciation of the opening goal but the unique circumstances in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak seemed dynamic. The home team's danger was evident in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a significant blow to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He departed the field on a medical cart after just the opening period.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely on the edge, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just wide. But they reached the halftime still ahead. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, low save within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of attacks from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Denmark offensives but immediately giving the ball right back to those in red.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of cordite attached.

The official initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the balance, parity was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be upset about the decision.

Final Drama

All this exciting match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn earning a second caution. Then the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, allowing the striker to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. Within three minutes, a Danish player placed into the net after a teammate passed into his way from close range from goal. This time Scotland were overly careless.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn bending shot just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a strike capable of deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, at that.