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Hampden Park has hosted numerous unforgettable moments throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Include this match to the list. Scotland's long wait is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose curling shot from outside the box looked like it had secured victory in a high-scoring affair until the substitute executed an even more stunning fourth.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in added time. Grown men in kilts wept. Denmark's participation in the upcoming tournament rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can start making definite arrangements.

Researchers could develop papers on how exactly the team pulled off this. They appeared defeated at points, just days before the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had decided the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warmup. His replacement took his place. Any sense of setback was forgotten within the first few minutes.

This was some of the most amazing strikes produced at the stadium in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. His lofted delivery ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, initially. Instead, he catapulted himself into the air and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place roared, not only in recognition of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed electric. The home team's offense shone in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scotland area and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a major setback to the manager, then, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after just the first half.

The striker soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing far too recklessly, a fact underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker forced the keeper into a quick, low save in the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the remainder would seem like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the direction of play from the start of the second period felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately giving the ball back to the players in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of cordite attached.

The official originally noticed no foul with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen went down into the ground. After being advised to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be angry about the call.

Final Action

All this thrilling match was missing was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing a second caution. Now the coach twisted by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, letting the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. Within three minutes, Patrick Dorgu placed home after a teammate passed into his way from close range from goal. This time Scotland were too careless.

The striker directed a header wide. McGinn curling shot narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a moment fit to deciding any match. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.