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Hampden Park has hosted numerous historic moments throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland's extended absence is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose swerving strike from distance looked like it had sealed success in a five-goal thriller before the substitute delivered an still more stunning final goal.

Almost 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from afar, were erased as the Danish team fell to a loss in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s jamboree hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can begin planning concrete plans.

Academics could produce studies on how exactly Scotland accomplished this. They appeared defeated at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Unfolds

The match had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. Any sense of problem was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was some of the most spectacular goals delivered at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted delivery should have been difficult for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an bicycle kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium erupted, not only in recognition of the first goal but the unique circumstances in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed explosive. Scottish threat was evident in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have been onside a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his quickness. It felt a significant blow to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very on the edge, a point underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a golden chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund forced the keeper into a smart, down stop in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would seem like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of traffic from the onset of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – to a point – in breaking up Denmark attacks but immediately handing the ball right back to the players in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of dispute involved.

The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the air. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side merited but Scotland had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Action

The only thing exciting encounter was missing was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder earning a second yellow card. Now the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time the defense were overly careless.

Adams directed a shot wide. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the upright. Enter the defender and a strike fit to win the game. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, no less.