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Hampden Park has witnessed many memorable occasions over its rich history since 1903. Add this match to the record. Scotland's protracted wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from outside the box looked like it had clinched victory in a high-scoring affair before the substitute delivered an still more spectacular fourth.

Nearly three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to a loss in added time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. The Danish chance in the upcoming event rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can start making concrete arrangements.

Researchers could develop papers on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They seemed defeated at times, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Game Begins

The night had apparently opened in challenging fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement filled in. Any sense of disruption was banished in three minutes.

It was some of the most spectacular finishes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His arched cross was expected to be tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Instead, he launched himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous old place erupted, not simply in acknowledgment of the early lead but the remarkable situation in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed electric. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but he may well have been onside a second check if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a major blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to stop a pass. He departed the scene on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the break without conceding. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Final Period Action

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, down save in 90 seconds of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the flow of traffic from the onset of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were managing – to a point – in breaking up Danish attacks but promptly giving the possession back to the players in red.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the whiff of dispute attached.

The official initially saw no infringement with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark deserved but Scotland had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Final Drama

All this action-packed game lacked was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, letting Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, showed exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his way 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were too generous.

Adams directed a shot off target. The midfielder's curling shot just missed the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to win the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.