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Hampden Park has witnessed many unforgettable events throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. Scotland's extended wait has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose bending strike from outside the box appeared to secured victory by the odd goal in five until the substitute delivered an even more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. The Danish qualification in the next jamboree hinges on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant country can prepare concrete arrangements.

Researchers could develop papers on how on earth Scotland pulled off this. They looked down and out at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though fate had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The night had supposedly opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. All problem was forgotten within three minutes.

It was some of the most wondrous finishes produced at Hampden in living memory.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His floated cross should have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place erupted, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the unique context in which it came. Amazing.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed electric. Scottish threat resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; the goalkeeper saved from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he could have been onside a second check if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scottish goal and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a major loss to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a pass. He left the scene on a stretcher after only the first half.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly off target. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime unscathed. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Action

The attacker made Gordon into a sharp, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the half would seem like the decades since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of play from the start of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish offensives but immediately handing the possession back to those in red.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The official initially noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side merited but Scotland had cause to be angry about the call.

Late Heroics

All this thrilling encounter lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn earning another yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to score. The substitute, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within moments, a Danish player placed into the net after a teammate laid into his path from close range from the net. This time Scotland were too careless.

Adams flicked a header wide. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the post. Enter Tierney and a goal fit to win any match. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, indeed.