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Hampden Park has hosted many historic occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the record. Scotland's extended drought has concluded. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from distance looked like it had secured the win in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered a loss in added time. Supporters in kilts wept. Denmark's participation in the upcoming jamboree hinges on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly giddy football nation can begin planning solid arrangements.

Academics could produce studies on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They appeared down and out at moments, no more recently than the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Night Begins

The evening had apparently opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of problem was banished in the opening moments.

This was one of the most spectacular finishes delivered at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right. His lofted pass was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place exploded, not only in appreciation of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. Scottish threat shone in attacking with great intensity; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have been onside a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed 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 rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big loss to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when trying to block a cross. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker shortly had the goal in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living far too recklessly, a fact highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot just off target. But Scotland made it to the halftime unscathed. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, low stop within a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would be like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only required a draw, the direction of attacks right from the start of the half felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were managing – to a point – in disrupting Danish attacks but promptly giving the ball back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the scent of controversy associated.

The referee originally saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund blasted home. On the overall play, parity was the minimum Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be angry about the call.

Final Action

The only thing thrilling encounter was missing was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his way from close range from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a goal worthy to win the contest. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, at that.