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Hampden Park has hosted many historic occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the list. The Scottish extended wait is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose swerving effort from outside the box appeared to clinched victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly three decades of heartache, during which Scotland have seen men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Grown men in kilts cried. Denmark's participation in the upcoming event depends on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic Scottish football community can prepare concrete plans.

Researchers could develop papers on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They seemed finished at times, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Greece. It was like destiny had predetermined the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Game Unfolds

The match had apparently started in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All setback was forgotten in the first few minutes.

It was among the most spectacular strikes scored at Hampden in recent times.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Rather, he catapulted himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous venue erupted, not only in recognition of the first goal but the special circumstances in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. The home team's danger was evident in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was up but he could have survived a further inspection were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the ball in the net but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were living extremely on the edge, a fact underscored as the defender deflected a midfielder shot just wide. Yet Scotland reached the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a smart, down stop in 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would feel like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of traffic from the start of the half felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in stopping Denmark attacks but promptly giving the ball back to those in red.

As the equaliser was scored, it came with the scent of controversy involved.

The official initially noticed no infringement with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker blasted home. On the balance, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be angry about the decision.

Late Drama

The only thing exciting match was missing was a dismissal. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another caution. Then the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu placed home after Andreas Christensen passed into his way from close range from goal. On this occasion the defense were too careless.

The striker directed a header wide. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to win any match. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.