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Hampden Park has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments throughout its long history since 1903. Include this game to the list. The Scottish protracted wait is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling strike from outside the box appeared to clinched the win in a high-scoring affair until the substitute executed an even more breathtaking clincher.

Almost three decades of frustration, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered a loss in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in the next tournament depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can start making concrete arrangements.

PhD students could produce work on how on earth the team pulled off this. They seemed down and out at times, just days before the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like destiny had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Night Unfolds

The night had apparently opened in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was forgotten in three minutes.

It was among the most wondrous strikes scored at Hampden in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched delivery should have been difficult for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and executed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue erupted, not simply in appreciation of the opening goal but the remarkable context in which it came. Wow.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked dynamic. The home team's offense was evident in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have been onside a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a significant blow to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to block a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was called for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing extremely on the edge, a fact further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just wide. Yet they reached the halftime unscathed. They were even denied of a great chance of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, down stop in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of attacks from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. They were managing – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately giving the possession back to those in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of cordite attached.

The official initially saw no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Heroics

The only thing thrilling match was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder earning a second yellow card. Then the coach made a change by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be upset at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. Within three minutes, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's bending shot narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to deciding the game. The substitute provided the finish: from the center circle, no less.