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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many memorable occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the list. Scotland's extended drought has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from distance seemed to have clinched victory by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. The Danish qualification in the next jamboree hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a now ecstatic Scottish football community can start making definite arrangements.

PhD students could produce work on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed finished at points, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if destiny had predetermined the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Night Begins

The evening had apparently started in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was banished within three minutes.

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

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. His arched cross ought to have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous stadium erupted, not only in recognition of the first goal but the special circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Game Struggle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed electric. The home team's danger resonated in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have been onside a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to stop a pass. He departed the field on a stretcher after only the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the break unscathed. They were even robbed of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund forced Gordon into a sharp, down stop within a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the decades since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the flow of play from the start of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately giving the ball right back to the players in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of dispute attached.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be angry about the decision.

Final Heroics

All this action-packed match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn earning a second caution. Now the coach made a change by bringing on the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. Within moments, a Danish player slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his way inside the box from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

The striker flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the upright. Enter Tierney and a moment fit to deciding the contest. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, no less.