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Hampden Park has been the stage for countless historic occasions over its rich history since 1903. Add this game to the list. The Scottish long absence has concluded. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from distance seemed to have secured victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean delivered an even more spectacular final goal.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen men’s World Cups from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Adult fans in kilts cried. Denmark's qualification in next summer’s event hinges on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant Scottish football community can begin planning definite plans.

PhD students could write work on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They appeared down and out at times, as recently as the weekend when suffering a loss in Athens. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. Any sense of problem was banished in the opening moments.

This was some of the most spectacular finishes produced at Hampden in modern history.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, he catapulted himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the unique context in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. Scottish danger shone in attacking aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a second check if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his speed. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when attempting to block a pass. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing extremely on the edge, a point further emphasised as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet they reached the halftime still ahead. They were even robbed of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, low save within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would be like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the flow of traffic from the start of the half felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Danish offensives but promptly giving the possession back to the players in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of dispute associated.

The official originally saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. The striker blasted home. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark earned but Scotland had cause to be angry about the call.

Late Drama

The only thing thrilling encounter lacked was a sending off. It came on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn earning another caution. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, letting Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their advantage. In moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate passed into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were overly generous.

The striker directed a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the post. Then came Tierney and a goal worthy to win the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, at that.