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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many memorable occasions throughout its long history since 1903. Remember this one to the annals. The Scottish extended absence has concluded. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from outside the box looked like it had sealed victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean produced an even more spectacular fourth.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from a distance, were wiped away as Denmark suffered defeat in injury time. Supporters in kilts wept. Denmark's chance in next summer’s jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can begin planning concrete arrangements.

PhD students could write studies on how on earth the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at moments, just days before the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Begins

The match had apparently opened in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement filled in. Any sense of setback was dispelled within the first few minutes.

This was among the most wondrous goals produced at the stadium in living memory.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right. His floated cross should have been challenging for McTominay to navigate. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned old place erupted, not only in recognition of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Game Contest

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed dynamic. The home team's danger was evident in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was up but he may well have survived a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major blow to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a pass. He departed the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

The striker shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot just off target. Yet they made it to the break without conceding. They were even denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a quick, down save within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the remainder would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only required a tie, the flow of play from the onset of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were managing – to a point – in breaking up Denmark offensives but promptly giving the possession right back to the players in the away kit.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of cordite involved.

The referee originally noticed no infringement with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen went down into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be angry about the call.

Final Drama

All this thrilling game lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Then the coach made a change by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, produced precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate passed into his way inside the box from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a shot wide. McGinn curling shot just missed the post. Enter the defender and a goal worthy to win any match. The substitute sealed it: from the halfway line, no less.