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Hampden Park has witnessed many historic events over its long history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the list. Scotland's extended wait is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from 22 yards looked like it had secured the win in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean delivered an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in added time. Supporters in traditional dress wept. The Danish participation in the upcoming event rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a now jubilant Scottish football community can start making concrete arrangements.

Researchers could develop papers on how on earth the team achieved this. They appeared finished at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly opened in tough fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement filled in. Any sense of problem was forgotten within the first few minutes.

It was some of the most spectacular finishes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His lofted delivery ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue erupted, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Struggle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared dynamic. Scottish danger resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a pass. He left the scene on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker shortly had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living very recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a excellent chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, low stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of play from the onset of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in disrupting Denmark offensives but promptly giving the ball right back to the players in red.

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

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the spot. The striker blasted home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum the away side merited but the hosts had cause to be sore about the call.

Final Heroics

The only thing thrilling game was missing was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn earning a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to pay dividends. The Danish marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his way from close range from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly lenient.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the upright. Enter the defender and a goal worthy to deciding the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.