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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless unforgettable occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Remember this match to the annals. The Scottish extended drought has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling shot from distance appeared to secured success by the odd goal in five until the substitute produced an even more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly 27 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have watched the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to a loss in injury time. Grown men in kilts wept. The Danish qualification in the next jamboree hinges on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy country can prepare concrete arrangements.

PhD students could produce studies on the manner in which the team pulled off this. They appeared down and out at points, no more recently than the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though destiny had decided the Scots had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Night Begins

The evening had reportedly started in challenging fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in defense, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All disruption was banished within three minutes.

It was some of the most wondrous finishes produced at the stadium in modern history.

The winger jinked and weaved on the wing. His floated pass should have been tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous venue exploded, not only in acknowledgment of the early lead but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared explosive. Scottish danger shone in pushing forward aggressively; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danes with his pace. It felt a big blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He departed the field on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were living extremely dangerously, a point further emphasised as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive just wide. But they made it to the halftime unscathed. They were even denied of a excellent chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Action

Højlund forced the keeper into a quick, down stop in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since the tournament. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of play from the start of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark attacks but immediately handing the ball back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The official initially noticed no foul with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen went down into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. Højlund blasted home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but Scotland had cause to be sore about the decision.

Late Action

All this thrilling encounter lacked was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, allowing the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. In a short time, a Danish player slotted home after a teammate passed into his way from close range from goal. This time the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's bending attempt just missed the upright. Then came the defender and a moment capable of win the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, at that.