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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland's extended absence is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending shot from outside the box seemed to have secured the win by the odd goal in five until the substitute delivered an even more stunning clincher.

Almost three decades of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts wept. The Danish participation in the upcoming event hinges on qualifiers. Clarke and a now giddy football nation can start making concrete plans.

PhD students could write studies on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They seemed defeated at points, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Athens. It was like fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Match Kicks Off

The night had apparently opened in challenging circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All setback was forgotten within three minutes.

It was one of the most wondrous finishes produced at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. His floated pass was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium roared, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the special situation in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared dynamic. Scottish offense shone in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have survived a second check if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after just the first half.

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 playing very on the edge, a point further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just off target. But they made it to the halftime unscathed. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, down save in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of traffic right from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark offensives but immediately handing the ball back to the players in red.

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

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be sore about the call.

Final Action

All this thrilling encounter was missing was a sending off. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach made a change by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder corner was disorganized, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate laid into his path from close range from the net. This time Scotland were too careless.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn bending shot just went past the post. Then came Tierney and a goal capable of win the contest. The substitute sealed it: from the halfway line, indeed.