🔗 Share this article

Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many historic occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Remember this one to the record. Scotland's long drought is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending shot from 22 yards looked like it had clinched the win in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an still more spectacular final goal.

Almost 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's qualification in the next jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can begin planning solid plans.

Researchers could write studies on how exactly Scotland pulled off this. They looked defeated at points, no more recently than Saturday when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The evening had apparently opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to partner the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warmup. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of problem was banished within the opening moments.

This was some of the most spectacular finishes produced at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s floated cross should have been challenging for McTominay to control. He was with his back to goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic stadium roared, not simply in acknowledgment of the first goal but the unique circumstances in which it came. Incredible.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. The young winger looked explosive. Scottish danger resonated in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper denied from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but he might have been onside a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scotland area and the defender blocked effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to hold their lead.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big blow to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very dangerously, a fact highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly wide. Yet Scotland made it to the break without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Action

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, low stop in a minute and a half of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would seem like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of play from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Danish attacks but immediately giving the ball right back to those in red.

When the tying goal came, it came with the hint of cordite associated.

The official initially saw no infringement with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being advised to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker smashed home. On the balance, parity was the least the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be angry about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing exciting match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing another yellow card. Now the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how easy it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. This time Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt just missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a goal worthy to deciding the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, at that.