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Hampden Park has witnessed many historic events throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Include this match to the annals. Scotland's protracted wait is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from outside the box looked like it had sealed the win by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean delivered an still more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in the next event hinges on playoff matches. Clarke and a now giddy country can start making definite plans.

PhD students could write papers on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They seemed defeated at times, as recently as the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Begins

The night had reportedly started in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley took his place. All problem was forgotten within three minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular goals delivered at Hampden in living memory.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to the net, initially. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and executed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique circumstances in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger looked electric. The home team's threat shone in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but he could have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very on the edge, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive just off target. Yet they reached the halftime unscathed. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, down stop in a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to succeed, the half would be like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the direction of play right from the start of the second period felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were managing – to a point – in stopping Denmark attacks but immediately giving the ball right back to those in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark deserved but Scotland had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Final Action

All this action-packed encounter was missing was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the night on a marauding McGinn earning a second caution. Now the coach made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder set piece was shambolic, allowing Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had reason to be angry at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way from close range from the net. This time Scotland were overly lenient.

Adams flicked a header wide. The midfielder's bending attempt just went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the center circle, at that.