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Hampden Park has hosted numerous historic moments over its long history since 1903. Include this game to the list. The Scottish protracted absence has concluded. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose curling shot from 22 yards appeared to clinched success in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean delivered an still more spectacular final goal.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in the upcoming tournament depends on playoff matches. The coach and a now jubilant country can prepare solid plans.

Researchers could write papers on how exactly the team accomplished this. They seemed finished at times, as recently as the weekend when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Night Unfolds

The evening had apparently started in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of disruption was dispelled in three minutes.

This was some of the most amazing strikes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass should have been challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue roared, not only in recognition of the early lead but the remarkable circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. The young winger looked dynamic. The home team's threat shone in attacking too ferociously; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but he might have been onside a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to block a pass. He left the pitch on a medical cart after just the first half.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely dangerously, a fact underscored as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. Yet they reached the break unscathed. They were even denied of a golden chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish slackness.

Final Period Action

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, down stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the remainder would be like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of play right from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark attacks but promptly giving the ball back to the players in the away kit.

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

The referee originally noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be angry about the call.

Late Drama

The only thing exciting match lacked was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing a second caution. Then the coach twisted by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, a Danish player placed home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time the defense were too generous.

The striker flicked a shot off target. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the post. Enter the defender and a moment worthy to deciding the game. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.