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Hampden Park has witnessed many memorable occasions throughout its illustrious history since 1903. Add this game to the annals. Scotland's long drought has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose bending strike from outside the box seemed to have clinched success by the odd goal in five until the substitute executed an still more spectacular clincher.

Nearly three decades of frustration, during which Scotland have observed men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in added time. Supporters in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's participation in next summer’s jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant Scottish football community can start making definite arrangements.

PhD students could write work on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked finished at times, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was like destiny had decreed the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The evening had reportedly opened in challenging circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. All problem was dispelled within the first few minutes.

This was some of the most spectacular strikes scored at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right flank. His arched delivery ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, he launched himself into the air and executed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This historic old place erupted, not just in appreciation of the early lead but the unique situation in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger looked dynamic. The home team's offense resonated in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund could have been onside a second check if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland area and McKenna blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to keep their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danish team with his pace. It felt a significant setback to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when trying to block a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living very dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But Scotland made it to the break unscathed. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker made Gordon into a sharp, low save in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of play right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. Scotland were managing – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark offensives but promptly handing the possession back to those in red.

When the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of controversy associated.

The referee originally noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player flung himself into the air. 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, parity was the least the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be sore about the call.

Late Action

The only thing action-packed game was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn earning a second caution. Now Clarke twisted by bringing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, however, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from goal. This time Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's curling attempt narrowly went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a strike worthy to deciding the game. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.