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Hampden Park has hosted countless memorable events throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland's long wait is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from 22 yards appeared to clinched the win in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean produced an even more stunning final goal.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as Denmark fell to a loss in added time. Supporters in kilts cried. The Danish participation in next summer’s event rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant Scottish football community can begin planning definite plans.

PhD students could write studies on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They seemed defeated at points, no more recently than Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was almost as if destiny had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Game Kicks Off

The night had reportedly opened in challenging fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement filled in. Any sense of setback was banished in the opening moments.

It was some of the most wondrous goals produced at Hampden in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His arched cross ought to have been difficult for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Instead, he propelled himself into the air and landed an scissor kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This famous old place erupted, not simply in acknowledgment of the early lead but the special context in which it occurred. Wow.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed explosive. The home team's danger shone in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scotland area and McKenna blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his quickness. It felt a major loss to Clarke, then, as the player strained when trying to block a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living far too recklessly, a point highlighted as the defender deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were also robbed of a excellent opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund forced the keeper into a sharp, down save in the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of play right from the onset of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in disrupting Denmark offensives but promptly giving the possession back to the players in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the balance, parity was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be angry about the decision.

Late Heroics

All this thrilling game lacked was a sending off. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing a second caution. Now Clarke twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to extend their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were too careless.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending attempt narrowly missed the upright. Enter the defender and a moment worthy to deciding any match. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, no less.