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Hampden Park has witnessed many unforgettable moments throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the list. The Scottish long drought has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving strike from 22 yards looked like it had secured victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an even more stunning final goal.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts cried. Denmark's chance in next summer’s event rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can begin planning concrete arrangements.

Academics could write papers on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They appeared defeated at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was almost as if destiny had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Game Unfolds

The evening had reportedly opened in challenging circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement took his place. All setback was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was among the most spectacular goals delivered at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. His floated cross ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium erupted, not simply in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the remarkable context in which it came. Incredible.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish danger resonated in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major loss to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to block a cross. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely recklessly, a fact underscored as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly off target. Yet Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a great chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, low save within 90 seconds of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would feel like the long wait since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the flow of play from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly giving the ball right back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of controversy involved.

The referee initially saw no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the balance, parity was the minimum the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Drama

All this exciting game lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to strike. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. In three minutes, a Danish player placed home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path 12 yards from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn curling shot just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a moment fit to win the game. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, no less.