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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous unforgettable occasions throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the list. Scotland's protracted wait has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending strike from distance appeared to sealed success in a high-scoring affair until the substitute executed an even more breathtaking fourth.

Almost three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen men’s World Cups from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark suffered defeat in injury time. Supporters in kilts wept. Denmark's qualification in the next tournament hinges on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly jubilant country can begin planning concrete plans.

Academics could develop papers on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They seemed finished at moments, as recently as the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had decided the Scottish team had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Unfolds

The evening had reportedly started in difficult fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement stepped in. All problem was dispelled in three minutes.

This was among the most amazing goals produced at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right flank. His arched cross was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, he launched himself into the air and executed an scissor kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue roared, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the special context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared dynamic. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was through on goal. The offside flag was up but he might have been onside a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish goal and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to hold their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to block a cross. He left the scene on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too on the edge, a fact further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But they made it to the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, down stop in the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, the remainder would seem like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of play from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in disrupting Danish offensives but promptly handing the ball right back to those in red.

As the tying goal came, it came with the hint of dispute involved.

The referee originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player went down into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Action

All this action-packed encounter was missing was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing another caution. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to finish. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his path from close range from the net. This time Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt just missed the post. Enter the defender and a strike worthy to deciding the game. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, no less.