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Hampden Park has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Remember this game to the list. Scotland's long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending strike from 22 yards appeared to secured victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute delivered an still more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in injury time. Supporters in traditional dress cried. The Danish participation in next summer’s jamboree hinges on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can prepare solid arrangements.

Academics could produce studies on the manner in which the team achieved this. They seemed finished at points, just days before the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was almost as if fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The match had reportedly started in challenging circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. Any sense of disruption was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was some of the most amazing goals scored at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His arched pass ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue roared, not only in acknowledgment of the early lead but the special situation in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared electric. The home team's danger resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a big blow to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He left the scene on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker shortly had the goal in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing far too dangerously, a fact underscored as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just wide. But they made it to the break unscathed. They were also robbed of a great chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, low stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the half would feel like the long wait since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the flow of traffic right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were managing – partially – in disrupting Danish attacks but promptly giving the ball right back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of controversy involved.

The referee originally noticed nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player went down into the air. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the spot. The striker blasted home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this exciting game lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing a second caution. Now Clarke made a change by bringing on the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's defending of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after a teammate passed into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too lenient.

Adams flicked a shot wide. McGinn bending attempt just missed the post. Then came Tierney and a moment worthy to deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, no less.