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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many unforgettable moments over its illustrious history since 1903. Include this one to the record. Scotland's extended wait has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose curling effort from 22 yards looked like it had secured the win in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean produced an even more stunning final goal.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. Denmark's chance in next summer’s tournament hinges on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly giddy country can prepare definite arrangements.

PhD students could produce work on the manner in which the team achieved this. They seemed finished at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The match had apparently opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. Any sense of problem was banished in the first few minutes.

It was among the most amazing strikes delivered at the stadium in modern history.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass was expected to be tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place roared, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the unique circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed explosive. The home team's danger shone in going on the offensive too ferociously; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a second check if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish goal and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after only the opening period.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely dangerously, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just wide. Yet they made it to the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a excellent chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a sharp, down stop within the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only required a draw, the flow of attacks right from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Danish attacks but immediately handing the possession back to those in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of controversy involved.

The official originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen went down into the air. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this exciting match was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing another caution. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder set piece was poor, letting the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way from close range from goal. On this occasion the defense were too careless.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn bending attempt just went past the post. Then came the defender and a strike fit to deciding any match. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, at that.