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Scotland's national stadium has hosted many historic moments throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Include this match to the annals. The Scottish long absence is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving shot from distance appeared to secured success in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an even more spectacular final goal.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to a loss in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. Denmark's chance in the upcoming jamboree hinges on March playoffs. Clarke and a now ecstatic Scottish football community can start making definite plans.

Researchers could produce papers on how exactly Scotland pulled off this. They seemed finished at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was like destiny had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Unfolds

The night had apparently started in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. Any sense of setback was forgotten in three minutes.

This was one of the most wondrous goals scored at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right. His floated delivery should have been tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Instead, he propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue roared, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak appeared explosive. Scottish offense was evident in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he might have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to block a cross. He departed the field on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were also denied of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Action

The attacker forced the keeper into a sharp, down stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would be like the decades since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of play right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were managing – to a point – in disrupting Danish attacks but immediately giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of controversy attached.

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being instructed to review by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the run of play, parity was the least the away side merited but the hosts had cause to be upset about the decision.

Final Action

The only thing exciting game lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Then Clarke made a change by bringing on the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his path inside the box from goal. This time Scotland were too lenient.

Adams flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's curling shot narrowly missed the post. Then came the defender and a moment capable of deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the center circle, at that.