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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless memorable occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Include this one to the annals. Scotland's extended wait has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose bending strike from outside the box appeared to secured success in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an even more stunning fourth.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the global tournament from a distance, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered a loss in injury time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. Denmark's chance in next summer’s event rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a now giddy Scottish football community can prepare concrete arrangements.

PhD students could develop papers on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They looked finished at points, just days before the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was almost as if fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The match had apparently opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. All setback was dispelled within three minutes.

This was among the most spectacular goals produced at Hampden in modern history.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted pass was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Rather, he launched himself into the air and planted an scissor kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place exploded, not simply in appreciation of the early lead but the special situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish danger shone in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish area and the defender blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his quickness. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the player strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a stretcher after only the first half.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very on the edge, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just wide. But they made it to the break still ahead. They were even robbed of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker made Gordon into a sharp, low save in a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the long wait since the tournament. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of traffic right from the start of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in breaking up Denmark attacks but immediately giving the ball right back to the players in the away kit.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of dispute involved.

The official originally noticed no infringement with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark deserved but the hosts had reason to be sore about the call.

Late Heroics

All this exciting encounter lacked was a red card. It came on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding midfielder earning a second caution. Then the coach twisted by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate passed into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly generous.

Adams directed a header off target. The midfielder's bending shot just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a strike capable of deciding any match. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, no less.