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Hampden Park has hosted countless historic occasions throughout its rich history since 1903. Remember this one to the record. The Scottish extended wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving effort from outside the box seemed to have sealed the win by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an still more stunning final goal.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in injury time. Adult fans in kilts cried. Denmark's participation in next summer’s tournament depends on March playoffs. The coach and a now giddy Scottish football community can begin planning solid plans.

Academics could develop papers on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They looked defeated at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had decided the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had supposedly opened in tough circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. All setback was forgotten in the opening moments.

This was some of the most amazing goals produced at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, he propelled himself into the sky and landed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium roared, not just in appreciation of the opening goal but the special context in which it arrived. Amazing.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed dynamic. The home team's danger shone in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He departed the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very recklessly, a fact underscored as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. Yet they reached the halftime unscathed. They were even robbed of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a quick, down save in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of traffic right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately giving the ball back to those in red.

As the tying goal came, it came with the whiff of cordite associated.

The official originally noticed no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed the player flung himself into the air. After being instructed to review by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be sore about the call.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed game was missing was a red card. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder earning a second yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to extend their advantage. Within a short time, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his path 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were overly lenient.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling shot narrowly went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal fit to deciding the game. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, at that.