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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless memorable occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Add this one to the record. The Scottish protracted wait is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from 22 yards appeared to sealed the win in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an even more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched men’s World Cups from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress wept. Denmark's participation in the upcoming event hinges on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can start making solid plans.

PhD students could develop papers on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked defeated at times, no more recently than the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like fate had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Kicks Off

The night had supposedly opened in difficult fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of setback was banished within the opening moments.

It was one of the most amazing finishes scored at the stadium in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His arched pass ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, he propelled himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue erupted, not just in recognition of the first goal but the special situation in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed explosive. Scottish danger resonated in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a major blow to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He left the field on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living very on the edge, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive just off target. Yet they made it to the break unscathed. They were even denied of a great chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender smartly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made Gordon into a sharp, down save within the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of play right from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in disrupting Danish attacks but immediately giving the ball back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of cordite attached.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Drama

The only thing action-packed game lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder corner was shambolic, letting Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. Within moments, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

The striker flicked a header off target. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly missed the post. Enter the defender and a goal capable of win the contest. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, no less.