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Hampden Park has witnessed countless unforgettable occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the annals. Scotland's protracted absence is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from outside the box looked like it had sealed the win in a high-scoring affair before the substitute executed an still more spectacular clincher.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark fell to a loss in added time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's qualification in next summer’s jamboree depends on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly jubilant country can begin planning solid arrangements.

PhD students could write papers on the manner in which the team achieved this. They looked down and out at moments, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The match had reportedly started in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warmup. His replacement took his place. All setback was forgotten in three minutes.

This was among the most amazing strikes scored at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right flank. His lofted cross was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the air and landed an scissor kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium erupted, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Battle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed electric. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have survived a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big loss to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a cross. He left the field on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very recklessly, a fact further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. But they reached the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Second Half Action

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, down stop within a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark offensives but promptly handing the possession right back to the players in red.

When the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of dispute attached.

The referee originally saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but the hosts had cause to be upset about the call.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Then the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, letting Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way from close range from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot narrowly missed the post. Then came the defender and a moment worthy to win any match. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, at that.