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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous memorable events over its illustrious history since 1903. Remember this match to the list. Scotland's long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose swerving strike from 22 yards looked like it had secured victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean delivered an still more stunning clincher.

Almost 27 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered a loss in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. Denmark's qualification in next summer’s event depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a now ecstatic football nation can prepare definite arrangements.

PhD students could develop papers on how on earth the team accomplished this. They seemed down and out at moments, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was banished within three minutes.

It was one of the most wondrous goals scored at the stadium in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the wing. His arched pass ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place erupted, not simply in acknowledgment of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Struggle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed electric. The home team's danger was evident in pushing forward with great intensity; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his speed. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, then, as the player strained when trying to block a cross. He left the field on a medical cart after only the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very dangerously, a point underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just off target. But Scotland reached the halftime unscathed. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish slackness.

Final Period Excitement

The attacker forced Gordon into a smart, down stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would be like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of play right from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in breaking up Danish offensives but promptly handing the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of cordite attached.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum the away side earned but Scotland had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Heroics

The only thing thrilling game lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, letting Shankland to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their lead. Within a short time, a Danish player placed home after a teammate laid into his path inside the box from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the upright. Enter the defender and a goal capable of deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, at that.