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Hampden Park has witnessed countless unforgettable moments throughout its rich history since 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish extended drought has concluded. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose curling effort from distance looked like it had secured victory in a high-scoring affair before Kenny McLean delivered an more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. Denmark's participation in next summer’s event depends on qualifiers. The coach and a now giddy football nation can begin planning solid plans.

PhD students could write studies on how exactly Scotland accomplished this. They appeared defeated at times, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Night Unfolds

The match had apparently started in challenging fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warmup. His replacement took his place. All problem was dispelled within the opening moments.

It was some of the most amazing strikes scored at the stadium in modern history.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His floated delivery should have been tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and landed an scissor kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium exploded, not simply in recognition of the first goal but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared dynamic. Scottish offense shone in going on the offensive with great intensity; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but he may well have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a pass. He departed the field on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too on the edge, a point underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish slackness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, down save within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of attacks from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in disrupting Danish offensives but immediately handing the possession back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the scent of dispute attached.

The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be sore about the decision.

Final Drama

All this exciting game was missing was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder earning a second caution. Now Clarke made a change by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly lenient.

The striker flicked a header off target. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a moment worthy to deciding the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.