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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many memorable occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the list. Scotland's protracted wait is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from distance seemed to have secured victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean delivered an still more spectacular final goal.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in kilts cried. Denmark's qualification in next summer’s tournament rests on March playoffs. The coach and a now jubilant Scottish football community can prepare definite arrangements.

Academics could produce studies on how on earth Scotland pulled off this. They appeared down and out at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was as though destiny had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Game Unfolds

The match had reportedly started in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of setback was dispelled within the first few minutes.

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

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery was expected to be challenging for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, he launched himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous old place roared, not only in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared explosive. The home team's offense shone in going on the offensive with great intensity; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish goal and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to block a pass. He departed the scene on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing extremely dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender deflected a midfielder shot narrowly off target. Yet they reached the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Second Half Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, low stop within a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would feel like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the direction of attacks from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Denmark attacks but promptly giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of cordite involved.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be angry about the decision.

Late Drama

The only thing action-packed game lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach made a change by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had cause to be angry at how easy it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion Scotland were overly generous.

The striker directed a header wide. The midfielder's curling shot narrowly missed the upright. Enter the defender and a moment capable of win the contest. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, no less.