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Hampden Park has been the stage for countless memorable moments throughout its long history since 1903. Remember this match to the annals. Scotland's long wait has concluded. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending shot from outside the box looked like it had sealed the win by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean executed an even more stunning final goal.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen men’s World Cups from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark fell to a loss in stoppage time. Supporters in kilts cried. Denmark's qualification in next summer’s event depends on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can prepare concrete arrangements.

PhD students could produce work on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They looked defeated at points, just days before the weekend when suffering defeat in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The night had apparently started in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of disruption was banished in the opening moments.

This was one of the most wondrous strikes scored at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the wing. His lofted delivery should have been challenging for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, initially. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an scissor kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue erupted, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the special circumstances in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked electric. Scottish threat resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but he might have been onside a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to block a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very on the edge, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just wide. But they reached the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a excellent chance of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund forced the keeper into a sharp, low stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a tie, the direction of play right from the start of the second period felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were managing – to a point – in breaking up Denmark offensives but immediately handing the possession back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of dispute attached.

The referee originally noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed the player went down into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Action

All this exciting match lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder earning another yellow card. Now Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to work out. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was shambolic, letting the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

The striker flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's curling attempt just went past the post. Then came Tierney and a moment fit to deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, at that.