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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many unforgettable events over its illustrious history since 1903. Add this game to the record. Scotland's long wait is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling strike from outside the box looked like it had secured success by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an more stunning clincher.

Nearly three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. The Danish chance in the next jamboree depends on March playoffs. The coach and a now jubilant Scottish football community can prepare concrete arrangements.

Academics could write studies on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They seemed down and out at times, no more recently than the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The match had apparently opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the pregame. His replacement filled in. All disruption was banished within the opening moments.

This was some of the most wondrous finishes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His lofted pass ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and planted an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous stadium roared, not simply in appreciation of the opening goal but the remarkable context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked electric. The home team's danger resonated in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but he may well have been onside a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a big blow to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the field on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were playing far too recklessly, a point underscored as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a great chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Second Half Action

The attacker made the keeper into a smart, down save within a minute and a half of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the remainder would be like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the direction of traffic right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – partially – in stopping Denmark offensives but immediately handing the ball back to the players in red.

When the equaliser came, it came with the scent of dispute involved.

The referee originally noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. Højlund blasted home. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be sore about the decision.

Final Heroics

All this exciting encounter was missing was a dismissal. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second caution. Then Clarke twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was poor, letting Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. Within three minutes, a Danish player stroked into the net after a teammate passed into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly lenient.

Adams directed a header wide. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the post. Then came the defender and a moment capable of deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, no less.