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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless unforgettable occasions over its rich history dating back to 1903. Remember this game to the annals. The Scottish extended drought is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending shot from outside the box appeared to sealed success in a high-scoring affair until the substitute produced an more stunning clincher.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched men’s World Cups from afar, were erased as the Danish team fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. The Danish participation in the upcoming tournament rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can prepare definite plans.

PhD students could produce studies on how exactly the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at times, no more recently than Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Unfolds

The night had apparently opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the pregame. His replacement took his place. Any sense of problem was forgotten within three minutes.

It was some of the most wondrous goals delivered at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass ought to have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous venue roared, not just in appreciation of the opening goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared dynamic. The home team's offense was evident in going on the offensive too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major loss to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing extremely recklessly, a fact highlighted as the defender deflected a midfielder drive just off target. Yet they made it to the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a excellent chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Second Half Action

The attacker made Gordon into a smart, low save in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the remainder would seem like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only required a tie, the direction of play right from the start of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly giving the possession back to the players in the away kit.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the hint of controversy attached.

The referee initially saw no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this exciting game lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Now Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way from close range from goal. This time Scotland were overly careless.

Adams directed a shot wide. McGinn curling attempt just missed the upright. Enter Tierney and a strike capable of deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, no less.