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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous historic occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the annals. The Scottish long absence is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from 22 yards appeared to clinched the win in a five-goal thriller until the substitute executed an still more breathtaking fourth.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Grown men in kilts wept. The Danish qualification in the next event depends on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy country can prepare solid plans.

Academics could write studies on how exactly the team accomplished this. They looked down and out at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Match Kicks Off

The match had reportedly opened in tough fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was banished in the first few minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular goals scored at Hampden in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery was expected to be tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from the net, initially. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not simply in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable context in which it came. Incredible.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. Scottish danger resonated in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scotland area and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major setback to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a cross. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just the opening period.

The striker shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very on the edge, a point underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot just wide. Yet they reached the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition slackness.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a quick, low save in the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the flow of attacks right from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in breaking up Danish offensives but immediately giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The referee originally saw no foul with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Heroics

The only thing thrilling game was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach made a change by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly lenient.

Adams directed a shot off target. McGinn curling shot just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a strike fit to deciding the game. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.