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Hampden Park has hosted numerous unforgettable occasions over its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the annals. Scotland's extended wait has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose curling strike from distance appeared to clinched the win by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an even more breathtaking fourth.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Adult fans in kilts shed tears. The Danish qualification in the upcoming event rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can begin planning concrete plans.

Researchers could write papers on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They looked finished at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to a loss in Athens. It was like fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Match Kicks Off

The night had apparently opened in difficult fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was dispelled within the first few minutes.

It was some of the most amazing strikes scored at the stadium in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass should have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not just in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. The young winger looked dynamic. The home team's threat resonated in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The offside flag was up but he could have survived a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a significant loss to Clarke, then, as the player overstretched when attempting to block a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very on the edge, a point underscored as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But they made it to the break still ahead. They were even denied of a excellent opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would feel like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only required a draw, the direction of attacks right from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Danish offensives but immediately giving the ball back to those in red.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the whiff of cordite associated.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed the player went down into the ground. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least Denmark merited but Scotland had reason to be angry about the decision.

Late Action

All this action-packed match lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn earning another caution. Then Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their advantage. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time Scotland were overly generous.

The striker directed a header off target. The midfielder's curling attempt just missed the post. Enter the defender and a strike fit to deciding the contest. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.