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Hampden Park has been the stage for numerous historic occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the record. The Scottish extended drought has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from 22 yards looked like it had secured victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean delivered an still more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in added time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s event depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a now jubilant football nation can start making definite arrangements.

Researchers could write studies on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They appeared defeated at times, just days before the weekend when suffering defeat in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Unfolds

The match had apparently started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. All problem was forgotten in the opening moments.

It was one of the most wondrous goals produced at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His lofted pass was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, initially. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This historic venue roared, not simply in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique context in which it occurred. Incredible.

Game Contest

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared dynamic. The home team's threat shone in attacking aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he might have survived a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a big blow to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to stop a pass. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very dangerously, a fact highlighted as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. But they made it to the halftime still ahead. They were even denied of a great chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker made Gordon into a smart, low stop in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would be like the decades since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of play from the onset of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Danish offensives but immediately giving the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the decision.

Late Drama

The only thing exciting match was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder earning another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, allowing the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too generous.

The striker flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a strike fit to deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the center circle, indeed.