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Hampden Park has hosted many unforgettable moments over its rich history since 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland's long wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from 22 yards seemed to have clinched victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean produced an still more spectacular final goal.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen men’s World Cups from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in injury time. Grown men in kilts cried. The Danish qualification in the upcoming tournament rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic country can start making concrete plans.

Academics could produce work on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked finished at points, as recently as the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Game Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. All problem was banished within the first few minutes.

This was some of the most wondrous goals delivered at Hampden in recent times.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass was expected to be difficult for McTominay to control. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This famous venue roared, not just in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak appeared explosive. Scottish offense was evident in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he might have survived a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish area and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to hold their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant blow to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a pass. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing far too dangerously, a fact highlighted as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly wide. But they reached the break still ahead. They were also denied of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition slackness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a tie, the direction of play from the onset of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in breaking up Denmark offensives but promptly handing the possession back to those in red.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of controversy involved.

The official initially saw nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the balance, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed game lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder earning a second caution. Now Clarke made a change by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, produced precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. In a short time, a Danish player placed home after a teammate laid into his path from close range from the net. This time the defense were overly generous.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn bending shot narrowly missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a moment worthy to win any match. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, no less.