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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous historic moments throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the list. Scotland's long drought has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose curling strike from 22 yards appeared to secured success in a high-scoring affair before the substitute executed an even more spectacular fourth.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from afar, were erased as Denmark fell to a loss in stoppage time. Supporters in kilts shed tears. The Danish participation in next summer’s event hinges on qualifiers. Clarke and a now ecstatic Scottish football community can start making solid arrangements.

PhD students could produce studies on how on earth the team accomplished this. They looked finished at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Athens. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in tough fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All setback was forgotten in the first few minutes.

This was some of the most amazing goals scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. His arched delivery ought to have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the air and executed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue erupted, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Contest

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. The home team's danger resonated in pushing forward aggressively; 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 been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his pace. It felt a big blow to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a pass. He left the field on a medical cart after only the first half.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing extremely recklessly, a fact further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive just wide. But they reached the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a quick, down stop in the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the long wait since the tournament. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of attacks from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the possession back to the players in the away kit.

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

The referee originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player flung himself into the ground. After being advised to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side earned but Scotland had cause to be angry about the decision.

Final Drama

The only thing thrilling encounter lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing a second caution. Now the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was poor, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly lenient.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending shot just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a strike worthy to deciding any match. The substitute added gloss: from the midfield, indeed.