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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous unforgettable moments throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the annals. Scotland's extended absence has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose swerving effort from outside the box appeared to sealed victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute delivered an more spectacular final goal.

Nearly three decades of heartache, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to a loss in stoppage time. Supporters in kilts shed tears. The Danish chance in next summer’s event rests on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic country can start making concrete plans.

Researchers could write studies on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They looked down and out at moments, no more recently than Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The night had supposedly started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of setback was banished in three minutes.

It was some of the most amazing finishes delivered at Hampden in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the wing. His floated pass ought to have been challenging for McTominay to control. He was facing away from the net, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium exploded, not simply in appreciation of the early lead but the special situation in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared dynamic. Scottish offense was evident in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a further inspection if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very dangerously, a point underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just wide. But Scotland reached the break unscathed. They were even denied of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, down stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only needed a tie, the direction of play from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in breaking up Danish attacks but promptly handing the ball right back to the players in the away kit.

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

The official initially noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed the player went down into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but the hosts had cause to be angry about the decision.

Late Action

All this exciting encounter lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn earning another yellow card. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder corner was disorganized, letting Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In a short time, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too generous.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn curling shot narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a strike fit to win any match. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, no less.