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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed numerous unforgettable occasions throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Include this match to the list. Scotland's extended drought is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from outside the box appeared to clinched the win in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an even more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Supporters in traditional dress wept. Denmark's participation in the upcoming tournament depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant country can begin planning concrete arrangements.

Researchers could write papers on how on earth the team accomplished this. They looked finished at points, no more recently than the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had apparently opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was banished within three minutes.

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

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted delivery ought to have been tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium roared, not simply in acknowledgment of the first goal but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish threat resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a significant setback to the manager, then, as the player strained when attempting to block a pass. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing far too recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder drive narrowly off target. Yet Scotland reached the break unscathed. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker forced Gordon into a smart, low save within a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the direction of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Danish attacks but immediately giving the ball back to those in red.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of dispute attached.

The official initially saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen went down into the ground. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark earned but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Heroics

All this action-packed game was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing another caution. Now Clarke made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. Within a short time, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate passed into his way inside the box from goal. This time the defense were overly careless.

The striker directed a header off target. The midfielder's curling attempt just missed the upright. Enter the defender and a goal capable of win the contest. The substitute sealed it: from the halfway line, at that.