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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous unforgettable events throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the record. The Scottish extended absence is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from outside the box seemed to have sealed victory in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an even more spectacular clincher.

Almost three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark suffered a loss in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. Denmark's qualification in the next event rests on playoff matches. The coach and a now jubilant country can begin planning concrete plans.

Academics could develop papers on how on earth the team accomplished this. They seemed finished at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was like destiny had decided the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Night Unfolds

The match had reportedly started in challenging circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement filled in. Any sense of setback was forgotten in the first few minutes.

This was one of the most spectacular finishes delivered at the stadium in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His lofted pass should have been difficult for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous stadium erupted, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the special circumstances in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed electric. The home team's threat was evident in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but he might have survived a VAR review if needed. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major loss to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He left the scene on a stretcher after only the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely on the edge, a fact highlighted as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just wide. But they reached the break still ahead. They were even denied of a great chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, down save in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would feel like the decades since the tournament. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of traffic from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball back to the players in red.

As the equaliser came, it came with the scent of cordite attached.

The referee initially saw no infringement with the captain's tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared the player flung himself into the air. After being instructed to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, parity was the least the away side earned but the hosts had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Action

The only thing exciting match was missing was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding McGinn earning a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an curling midfielder set piece was poor, letting Shankland to finish. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how easy it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time the defense were too lenient.

The striker directed a header off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a goal fit to deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.