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Hampden Park has hosted countless historic occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the record. Scotland's long absence is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from outside the box seemed to have sealed the win by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Supporters in traditional dress wept. The Danish participation in next summer’s tournament rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant football nation can start making solid plans.

Academics could develop papers on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They looked down and out at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The night had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warmup. His replacement filled in. Any sense of problem was dispelled within the opening moments.

This was some of the most wondrous strikes scored at the stadium in recent times.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. His arched cross was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, he launched himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium erupted, not just in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique context in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Struggle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. The home team's threat resonated in attacking with great intensity; the goalkeeper denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but he could have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to keep their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant loss to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a pass. He left the scene on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very recklessly, a fact highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the break still ahead. They were even denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a smart, low save in the opening moments of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, the remainder would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the direction of play from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Denmark attacks but immediately handing the ball right back to the players in red.

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

The referee initially noticed no infringement with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the air. After being instructed to review by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed match was missing was a sending off. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach twisted by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their advantage. Within moments, a Danish player stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion the defense were too lenient.

The striker directed a header off target. McGinn bending attempt just went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, at that.