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Hampden Park has hosted countless memorable moments throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish long absence has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose curling effort from outside the box seemed to have secured the win by the odd goal in five until the substitute executed an more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark suffered a loss in added time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. Denmark's participation in the next tournament hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a now giddy Scottish football community can prepare definite arrangements.

Researchers could produce studies on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed down and out at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though fate had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Match Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. His replacement took his place. All problem was forgotten in three minutes.

It was one of the most amazing finishes produced at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His arched pass ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous stadium exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique situation in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak seemed explosive. Scottish offense resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to hold their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to Clarke, then, as the player overstretched when trying to block a cross. He left the field on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing very recklessly, a point highlighted as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly off target. Yet they reached the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, low stop within 90 seconds of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would be like the long wait since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only required a tie, the flow of play from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark attacks but promptly giving the ball back to the players in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The official initially saw nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the air. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be upset about the call.

Late Action

The only thing action-packed match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player stroked home after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly careless.

The striker flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's bending attempt just missed the post. Then came Tierney and a moment capable of win any match. McLean added gloss: from the center circle, at that.