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Hampden Park has hosted many memorable events throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the annals. The Scottish extended drought has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose curling strike from outside the box seemed to have secured victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean produced an still more breathtaking final goal.

Nearly three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in added time. Supporters in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's participation in the next event depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant country can start making definite arrangements.

Academics could produce studies on how exactly Scotland accomplished this. They seemed finished at points, no more recently than the weekend when falling to a loss in Greece. It was like fate had predetermined the Scots had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The night had reportedly started in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement took his place. All problem was banished within three minutes.

This was among the most amazing strikes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the wing. His arched delivery was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from the net, for starters. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue erupted, not simply in appreciation of the first goal but the unique circumstances in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak seemed explosive. Scottish offense resonated in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to stop a pass. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing extremely dangerously, a fact highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But they reached the break unscathed. They were also denied of a golden chance of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition slackness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker made Gordon into a sharp, low save within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would feel like the long wait since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the direction of traffic from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Denmark attacks but immediately giving the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of controversy attached.

The referee initially saw no infringement with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed the player went down into the air. After being instructed to review by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be sore about the decision.

Late Drama

All this thrilling match was missing was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach made a change by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was shambolic, allowing Shankland to finish. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from the net. This time Scotland were overly careless.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a goal capable of deciding the contest. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, at that.