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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless memorable events over its long history since 1903. Include this one to the list. Scotland's protracted wait has ended. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose bending shot from distance appeared to sealed success by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean executed an still more stunning fourth.

Almost 27 years of frustration, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to a loss in added time. Supporters in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s event depends on March playoffs. The coach and a now jubilant football nation can start making definite arrangements.

PhD students could produce papers on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They looked down and out at times, as recently as Saturday when falling to a loss in Athens. It was almost as if fate had decided the Scots had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The evening had supposedly started in tough fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to partner the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of disruption was forgotten in the first few minutes.

This was among the most amazing goals produced at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His floated cross should have been tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, initially. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned old place erupted, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger appeared dynamic. Scottish offense shone in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have survived a VAR review if needed. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to keep their advantage.

The winger had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big loss to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing extremely recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just off target. Yet they made it to the break still ahead. They were even robbed of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Second Half Drama

The attacker made Gordon into a quick, low save within the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the half would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the flow of traffic right from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly giving the possession right back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The referee initially saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the run of play, parity was the least Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Action

All this exciting match lacked was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn earning a second yellow card. Then Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder corner was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after a teammate passed into his path from close range from the net. This time the defense were overly careless.

The striker flicked a header wide. McGinn bending shot just went past the post. Enter the defender and a strike fit to deciding any match. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.