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Hampden Park has hosted many memorable occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Remember this one to the list. The Scottish long drought has concluded. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose bending shot from distance looked like it had sealed victory in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean produced an still more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from afar, were erased as the Danish team fell to defeat in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in next summer’s jamboree depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can begin planning concrete arrangements.

PhD students could write papers on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They looked finished at points, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was almost as if fate had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The evening had reportedly opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. His replacement stepped in. Any sense of problem was dispelled in three minutes.

It was among the most amazing finishes scored at Hampden in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the wing. His arched cross should have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and executed an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium roared, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique situation in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed dynamic. Scottish threat shone in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a fight to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his pace. It felt a big setback to Clarke, then, as the player strained when attempting to stop a cross. He left the scene on a stretcher after just the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely recklessly, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a midfielder shot just wide. Yet they made it to the halftime without conceding. They were also denied of a golden opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Final Period Action

The attacker forced Gordon into a sharp, down stop in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would be like the decades since the tournament. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of attacks right from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in stopping Denmark attacks but immediately giving the ball right back to those in red.

When the equaliser was scored, it came with the hint of dispute associated.

The referee initially noticed no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. The striker smashed home. On the run of play, parity was the least the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be sore about the call.

Late Action

All this action-packed match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing a second caution. Then the coach twisted by bringing on the forwards one substitute and another.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, a Danish player placed home after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. This time Scotland were too lenient.

Adams directed a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the upright. Enter the defender and a strike capable of win any match. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, indeed.