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Hampden Park has been the stage for numerous memorable moments throughout its long history since 1903. Include this match to the annals. The Scottish long wait has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose bending effort from distance looked like it had secured victory by the odd goal in five before the substitute produced an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s tournament depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a now jubilant country can start making definite plans.

Researchers could produce studies on the manner in which Scotland achieved this. They looked finished at points, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like destiny had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. All problem was banished in the first few minutes.

This was among the most wondrous finishes delivered at the stadium in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right. His floated delivery ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, initially. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic old place erupted, not simply in recognition of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it occurred. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared dynamic. The home team's threat shone in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund could have survived a second check if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his speed. It felt a major setback to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too dangerously, a point further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just wide. Yet Scotland reached the break still ahead. They were even denied of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Second Half Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a smart, low stop within the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the half would seem like the long wait since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the direction of play from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Danish attacks but immediately handing the ball back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser came, it came with the hint of cordite involved.

The official originally saw no foul with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed home. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be angry about the decision.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed encounter lacked was a sending off. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn earning a second caution. Then the coach made a change by throwing on the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their advantage. In a short time, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams flicked a shot wide. McGinn curling shot just missed the post. Enter Tierney and a strike worthy to win any match. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, indeed.