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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many historic occasions throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Include this match to the record. Scotland's protracted drought is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from outside the box seemed to have clinched success by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean executed an even more stunning clincher.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in the next jamboree depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can begin planning solid plans.

Academics could write work on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked down and out at times, just days before the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The match had reportedly started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of problem was forgotten in the first few minutes.

This was some of the most wondrous strikes produced at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated cross should have been challenging for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium exploded, not simply in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed dynamic. Scottish offense shone in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but he might have been onside a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to maintain their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a pass. He departed the field on a stretcher after only the first half.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very recklessly, a fact underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But they made it to the halftime still ahead. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish slackness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of attacks from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in stopping Denmark attacks but immediately handing the possession back to the players in red.

When the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of controversy associated.

The referee initially noticed no infringement with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player went down into the ground. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least Denmark merited but Scotland had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Heroics

The only thing exciting game lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a attacking midfielder earning another yellow card. Then the coach made a change by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to finish. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his path 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were too lenient.

The striker directed a shot wide. The midfielder's curling shot narrowly went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to deciding the game. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, indeed.