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Hampden Park has been the stage for numerous historic occasions throughout its rich history since 1903. Include this one to the annals. Scotland's extended absence is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from outside the box appeared to clinched victory in a high-scoring affair before Kenny McLean executed an even more breathtaking fourth.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have observed the World Cup from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in the next tournament depends on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can begin planning definite arrangements.

PhD students could develop studies on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They appeared down and out at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The match had reportedly opened in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement filled in. Any sense of disruption was dispelled within three minutes.

It was some of the most spectacular strikes produced at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched cross should have been tricky for McTominay to control. He was facing away from the net, for starters. Rather, he propelled himself into the air and landed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the special situation in which it arrived. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger seemed explosive. The home team's offense was evident in attacking with great intensity; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but he could have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a cross. He left the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were playing extremely recklessly, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot just off target. Yet Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a golden opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a smart, low stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would feel like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of attacks from the start of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were managing – partially – in breaking up Danish offensives but promptly giving the ball right back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of dispute attached.

The referee originally noticed no infringement with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen dived into the ground. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark deserved but Scotland had reason to be upset about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing exciting encounter was missing was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing a second caution. Now the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, allowing the striker to finish. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. Within moments, a Danish player stroked into the net after a teammate passed into his path from close range from the net. This time the defense were overly lenient.

The striker directed a header wide. The midfielder's bending shot just went past the post. Enter Tierney and a moment fit to deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, no less.