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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless memorable moments throughout its long history since 1903. Remember this match to the record. The Scottish extended wait has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from 22 yards looked like it had sealed victory by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in added time. Supporters in kilts cried. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming tournament hinges on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy Scottish football community can start making solid arrangements.

Academics could produce studies on how on earth the team accomplished this. They seemed defeated at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scots had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Match Kicks Off

The match had supposedly started in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. His replacement took his place. Any sense of setback was forgotten in three minutes.

It was among the most wondrous goals scored at Hampden in recent times.

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass should have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium erupted, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the remarkable context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak looked dynamic. Scottish threat resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a fight to hold their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to block a pass. He departed the field on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living far too dangerously, a fact further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder shot just off target. Yet they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a quick, down stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only required a tie, the flow of attacks from the onset of the half felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Danish offensives but immediately handing the possession back to those in red.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of controversy involved.

The official initially noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared the player flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the run of play, parity was the least the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be angry about the decision.

Late Drama

The only thing exciting encounter lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another yellow card. Now the coach made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder corner was disorganized, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. Within three minutes, Patrick Dorgu placed home after Andreas Christensen passed into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker flicked a header off target. The midfielder's curling attempt narrowly went past the post. Then came Tierney and a goal capable of deciding the game. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, indeed.