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Hampden Park has been the stage for numerous historic moments throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. Scotland's long absence is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose bending strike from distance looked like it had sealed success in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean delivered an more breathtaking fourth.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. The Danish chance in the next jamboree hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a now jubilant country can begin planning concrete plans.

PhD students could develop work on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They looked defeated at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scots had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had reportedly started in tough circumstances 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 stepped in. All disruption was banished in the first few minutes.

It was among the most spectacular finishes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s arched cross should have been difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Instead, he launched himself into the sky and planted an overhead kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue erupted, not simply in recognition of the first goal but the unique context in which it came. Incredible.

Game Battle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish threat resonated in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he could have been onside a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scottish goal and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to hold their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a big loss to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very on the edge, a fact further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder shot narrowly off target. But Scotland made it to the break without conceding. They were even denied of a excellent chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund forced the keeper into a smart, low stop within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of play right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately giving the ball right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal came, it came with the hint of cordite attached.

The official initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Action

All this exciting match lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second caution. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder corner was disorganized, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. On this occasion the defense were too generous.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn bending shot narrowly went past the post. Enter the defender and a strike worthy to deciding the game. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, no less.