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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless historic occasions throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Include this one to the annals. The Scottish extended absence is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose bending strike from 22 yards looked like it had clinched victory in a high-scoring affair before the substitute executed an still more breathtaking clincher.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the global tournament from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Supporters in traditional dress shed tears. The Danish chance in the next jamboree depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can begin planning definite plans.

Researchers could produce studies on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They looked down and out at moments, as recently as Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The night had apparently opened in tough fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the pregame. His replacement took his place. All disruption was banished in three minutes.

This was one of the most spectacular strikes delivered at Hampden in recent times.

The winger maneuvered on the wing. His lofted pass should have been challenging for McTominay to control. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic stadium exploded, not only in recognition of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak seemed dynamic. The home team's danger resonated in going on the offensive with great intensity; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a big blow to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely dangerously, a point underscored as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly off target. But Scotland reached the break unscathed. They were even robbed of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, low stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the decades since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only required a tie, the flow of attacks right from the onset of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were managing – to a point – in breaking up Danish attacks but immediately handing the possession right back to those in the away kit.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the whiff of dispute involved.

The official originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Action

All this thrilling game lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding midfielder bringing another caution. Now Clarke twisted by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player placed into the net after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly generous.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn bending attempt just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a goal capable of deciding the game. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, indeed.