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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many historic events throughout its rich history since 1903. Include this game to the record. The Scottish long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose swerving effort from distance seemed to have secured success in a high-scoring affair before the substitute delivered an still more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly three decades of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from afar, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Supporters in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s jamboree hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can start making concrete plans.

Academics could write studies on how on earth the team pulled off this. They looked finished at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had decided the Scots had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Game Begins

The night had supposedly opened in difficult circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been set to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of disruption was dispelled in the first few minutes.

This was some of the most spectacular goals scored at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His arched cross was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and landed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned stadium erupted, not simply in acknowledgment of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it occurred. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. The young winger looked dynamic. Scottish danger was evident in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he might have survived a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a significant setback to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a cross. He departed the field on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely recklessly, a point highlighted as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just off target. Yet they reached the break without conceding. They were even denied of a great chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a quick, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the half would be like the decades since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of traffic from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. They were managing – partially – in breaking up Denmark attacks but immediately handing the possession back to the players in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen dived into the ground. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had reason to be angry about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing thrilling encounter was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, allowing the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had cause to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. In three minutes, a Danish player slotted into the net after a teammate passed into his path from close range from the net. On this occasion the defense were overly lenient.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending attempt just missed the post. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to win the contest. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, indeed.