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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous memorable moments over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. Scotland's protracted wait is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling effort from outside the box appeared to secured success in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an even more spectacular final goal.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the World Cup from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts wept. The Danish participation in next summer’s jamboree depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can prepare definite arrangements.

Researchers could develop studies on how exactly Scotland pulled off this. They looked finished at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was almost as if fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The night had reportedly started in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of problem was dispelled in the opening moments.

It was some of the most wondrous finishes produced at the stadium in recent times.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted delivery was expected to be tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and planted an bicycle kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place roared, not just in recognition of the first goal but the special situation in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Contest

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak seemed electric. Scottish threat resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but he might have survived a further inspection were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to hold their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major setback to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a pass. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just the opening period.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too recklessly, a point further emphasised as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But Scotland reached the break unscathed. They were also robbed of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition slackness.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, down save in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the half would seem like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of play from the onset of the half felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball right back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of controversy associated.

The official originally saw no infringement with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund blasted home. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Action

The only thing action-packed encounter was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking McGinn bringing another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. In moments, a Danish player placed into the net after a teammate passed into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a strike worthy to deciding the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, at that.