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Hampden Park has witnessed numerous unforgettable events throughout its long history since 1903. Add this match to the record. Scotland's protracted wait is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose bending shot from outside the box appeared to sealed success by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an even more breathtaking final goal.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to a loss in injury time. Adult fans in kilts wept. The Danish participation in the upcoming event rests on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy football nation can begin planning solid arrangements.

PhD students could produce papers on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They seemed down and out at points, just days before the weekend when suffering defeat in Greece. It was as though someone, somewhere had decided the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Night Begins

The evening had reportedly started in challenging fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. All disruption was forgotten in the first few minutes.

It was one of the most spectacular finishes delivered at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His lofted pass was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous venue erupted, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed dynamic. Scottish offense shone in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he might have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to maintain their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a point underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But they reached the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a golden chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, down save in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of play right from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark attacks but immediately handing the possession back to those in red.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The official initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be angry about the decision.

Final Action

All this thrilling encounter lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking midfielder earning a second caution. Now the coach made a change by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after a teammate laid into his path inside the box from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn curling shot narrowly missed the upright. Enter the defender and a strike fit to deciding the game. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, at that.