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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless memorable occasions throughout its rich history since 1903. Include this game to the record. The Scottish long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from distance seemed to have clinched success in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an even more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. Denmark's participation in next summer’s event rests on March playoffs. The coach and a now ecstatic football nation can prepare concrete plans.

Researchers could write studies on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They seemed defeated at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The actions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly started in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of problem was dispelled in the opening moments.

It was some of the most spectacular goals scored at the stadium in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, initially. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue roared, not just in recognition of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Amazing.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger looked explosive. The home team's danger shone in attacking too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a second check if needed. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a big loss to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a cross. He left the field on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living very on the edge, a fact further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly off target. But they reached the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund made Gordon into a quick, low save in a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would seem like the long wait since the tournament. Given Denmark only required a tie, the flow of play from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but promptly giving the ball back to the players in the away kit.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the hint of dispute involved.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker blasted home. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side earned but Scotland had cause to be angry about the decision.

Late Drama

All this thrilling match was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. In moments, a Danish player stroked home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from the net. On this occasion the defense were too lenient.

Adams flicked a header wide. The midfielder's curling attempt just missed the post. Then came Tierney and a moment capable of deciding the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.