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Hampden Park has witnessed many unforgettable moments throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish long drought has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving effort from outside the box appeared to clinched victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean executed an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly three decades of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. Denmark's chance in next summer’s tournament depends on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can begin planning definite arrangements.

Academics could develop work on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They seemed finished at moments, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if fate had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The match had apparently opened in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. All problem was forgotten in three minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular strikes scored at the stadium in recent times.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and landed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue exploded, not only in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique context in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Struggle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger looked dynamic. The home team's danger resonated in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major setback to Clarke, then, as the player strained when attempting to block a cross. He left the field on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a point further emphasised as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive just wide. Yet they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker made the keeper into a sharp, low save in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would seem like the 27 years since the tournament. Given Denmark only required a tie, the flow of play right from the onset of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in disrupting Denmark attacks but immediately handing the possession back to the players in red.

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

The referee originally noticed nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player dived into the ground. After being advised to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum Denmark earned but Scotland had reason to be angry about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing exciting game was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn earning a second caution. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate passed into his path from close range from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly careless.

Adams flicked a header wide. The midfielder's curling attempt narrowly went past the post. Then came the defender and a moment fit to win the game. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, at that.