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Hampden Park has witnessed countless memorable events throughout its long history since 1903. Remember this match to the record. Scotland's protracted drought has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from 22 yards seemed to have secured victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an more stunning fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the World Cup from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in next summer’s tournament depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can prepare definite arrangements.

Academics could produce work on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed defeated at moments, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Unfolds

The night had apparently opened in tough circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of disruption was banished in the opening moments.

It was among the most spectacular strikes delivered at the stadium in recent times.

The winger maneuvered on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s arched cross ought to have been tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and landed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This historic old place exploded, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish threat was evident in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to Clarke, then, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He left the scene on a medical cart after only the opening period.

The striker shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely on the edge, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet they reached the halftime unscathed. They were even robbed of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a quick, low stop in the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would feel like the long wait since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only needed a tie, the direction of play right from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Danish attacks but promptly handing the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the scent of dispute attached.

The official initially saw no infringement with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be upset about the call.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed match was missing was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Now Clarke made a change by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, letting Shankland to strike. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his way inside the box from goal. This time Scotland were too careless.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn curling shot just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a moment capable of deciding any match. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.