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Hampden Park has witnessed countless historic moments throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this game to the list. The Scottish protracted wait is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose bending effort from outside the box appeared to secured success in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an still more spectacular clincher.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the World Cup from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts wept. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming jamboree depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a now giddy Scottish football community can start making definite plans.

Researchers could develop papers on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at points, as recently as the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Unfolds

The match had apparently opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was forgotten in three minutes.

It was among the most amazing strikes delivered at the stadium in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His floated pass should have been tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and executed an overhead kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue exploded, not just in recognition of the first goal but the unique context in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared explosive. Scottish threat was evident in attacking aggressively; the goalkeeper saved from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a big blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after just the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very recklessly, a point highlighted as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive narrowly wide. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime still ahead. They were even robbed of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker made the keeper into a sharp, down stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would be like the decades since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only needed a tie, the direction of traffic from the onset of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in stopping Denmark offensives but promptly handing the ball back to those in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of dispute associated.

The referee originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player went down into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side merited but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this thrilling match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by introducing the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was poor, letting Shankland to strike. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. In three minutes, a Danish player placed home after a teammate passed into his way from close range from goal. This time the defense were overly careless.

Adams directed a shot wide. McGinn curling attempt just went past the upright. Then came the defender and a goal capable of win the game. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, no less.