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Hampden Park has witnessed countless unforgettable occasions over its rich history dating back to 1903. Include this match to the annals. The Scottish long absence has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from outside the box seemed to have sealed success in a high-scoring affair before the substitute produced an still more spectacular fourth.

Almost three decades of heartache, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were erased as the Danish team suffered a loss in added time. Grown men in kilts cried. The Danish participation in the upcoming tournament hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a now giddy Scottish football community can start making concrete plans.

PhD students could develop papers on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They seemed defeated at times, just days before the weekend when falling to a loss in Greece. It was almost as if fate had decided the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The evening had supposedly started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was some of the most amazing strikes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His arched cross ought to have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from the net, for starters. Rather, he launched himself into the air and executed an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place roared, not simply in appreciation of the opening goal but the special circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. The home team's offense was evident in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund might have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to hold their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after just the first half.

The striker soon had the ball in the net but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too on the edge, a point highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly fouling the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a sharp, down save within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would seem like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of play right from the start of the second period felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly handing the ball back to those in red.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of controversy attached.

The official originally saw no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum Denmark deserved but the hosts had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Action

All this thrilling match lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach twisted by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were overly generous.

The striker flicked a shot wide. McGinn curling attempt just went past the post. Then came the defender and a moment fit to deciding the game. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, no less.