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Hampden Park has been the stage for many memorable occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the list. The Scottish extended wait has concluded. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving effort from 22 yards appeared to sealed victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean executed an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly three decades of frustration, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were wiped away as Denmark fell to defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in traditional dress wept. The Danish chance in next summer’s tournament depends on qualifiers. The coach and a now ecstatic country can start making concrete plans.

PhD students could produce papers on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked down and out at points, just days before the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was like destiny had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Match Begins

The match had reportedly started in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of setback was forgotten in three minutes.

This was one of the most amazing finishes produced at the stadium in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross should have been tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from the net, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue exploded, not just in recognition of the first goal but the special context in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak seemed dynamic. The home team's threat resonated in attacking with great intensity; the goalkeeper saved from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund might have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a pass. He left the field on a medical cart after just the opening period.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very recklessly, a fact further emphasised as the defender turned a midfielder drive just off target. But Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were even denied of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, down save within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of play from the onset of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in disrupting Danish attacks but immediately handing the ball right back to those in red.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of dispute attached.

The official originally noticed no infringement with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the balance, parity was the minimum Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be sore about the decision.

Final Heroics

The only thing action-packed match lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing another caution. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. In three minutes, a Danish player slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams directed a shot off target. The midfielder's bending attempt just went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, no less.