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Hampden Park has hosted many memorable occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the record. The Scottish extended drought is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from distance seemed to have sealed the win in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean executed an still more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Supporters in kilts cried. The Danish chance in next summer’s jamboree depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant football nation can prepare definite plans.

Researchers could write work on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at times, as recently as the weekend when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if destiny had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Begins

The match had apparently opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. All setback was dispelled in the first few minutes.

This was among the most spectacular goals scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted pass was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from goal, initially. Instead, he propelled himself into the sky and landed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic stadium exploded, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the unique context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed dynamic. Scottish danger was evident in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have survived a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a significant blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely on the edge, a fact highlighted as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. Yet they made it to the break without conceding. They were also denied of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

Højlund forced Gordon into a quick, low save in the opening moments of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the flow of attacks from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately handing the possession right back to the players in the away kit.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the hint of controversy attached.

The referee originally noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this action-packed match was missing was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing a second caution. Then Clarke twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. Within a short time, a Danish player slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from goal. On this occasion the defense were too careless.

The striker flicked a header wide. The midfielder's curling shot just missed the post. Then came the defender and a moment worthy to win the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the midfield, at that.