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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for numerous historic occasions throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the list. The Scottish protracted drought has ended. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from 22 yards seemed to have sealed victory in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an still more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. Denmark's participation in the upcoming event depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic country can prepare solid plans.

Academics could write work on how on earth the team achieved this. They seemed down and out at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly opened in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was dispelled in the opening moments.

This was among the most amazing finishes produced at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His floated pass ought to have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Rather, he catapulted himself into the sky and executed an bicycle kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium exploded, not only in appreciation of the opening goal but the unique circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish danger was evident in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he may well have been onside a further inspection were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his pace. It felt a significant blow to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when trying to block a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very on the edge, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly off target. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a excellent opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, down save within the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the long wait since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only required a tie, the direction of play right from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in stopping Danish offensives but immediately giving the ball right back to those in red.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the whiff of cordite involved.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to look again by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the balance, parity was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing thrilling match lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the strikers one substitute and another.

The move was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly generous.

The striker flicked a header off target. McGinn bending attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a strike fit to win the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.