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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless memorable occasions throughout its long history since 1903. Add this one to the record. The Scottish protracted absence has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending shot from distance appeared to clinched the win in a high-scoring affair before the substitute produced an still more stunning fourth.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from a distance, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. The Danish participation in the next tournament depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can start making concrete plans.

Researchers could produce studies on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They looked down and out at times, no more recently than Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Game Begins

The night had apparently started in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of setback was forgotten within the first few minutes.

It was among the most amazing strikes scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. His lofted pass was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay launched himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue roared, not simply in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared dynamic. The home team's offense resonated in attacking aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was up but he may well have been onside a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his pace. It felt a significant loss to Clarke, then, as the player strained when attempting to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was called for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living far too recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But Scotland made it to the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a sharp, down save in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the possession right back to the players in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of controversy associated.

The official initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this exciting match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn earning a second yellow card. Now the coach twisted by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player stroked home after a teammate laid into his path inside the box from goal. This time the defense were overly careless.

The striker flicked a header off target. McGinn curling shot just went past the post. Enter the defender and a goal capable of win any match. The substitute added gloss: from the midfield, indeed.