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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed countless unforgettable moments throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the annals. Scotland's extended wait is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from distance looked like it had secured the win in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean executed an more breathtaking clincher.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the global tournament from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark suffered defeat in stoppage time. Supporters in traditional dress wept. The Danish qualification in next summer’s tournament rests on playoff matches. Clarke and a now ecstatic country can prepare definite arrangements.

Researchers could write work on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They seemed finished at moments, just days before the weekend when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like destiny had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Begins

The evening had supposedly opened in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of setback was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was among the most wondrous finishes scored at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right. His floated pass was expected to be difficult for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, he propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick past the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place erupted, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the unique context in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. The home team's offense was evident in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he might have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to maintain their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant loss to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to block a pass. He left the scene on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were living very recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just wide. Yet they made it to the break without conceding. They were also denied of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, earning a booking, after the player took advantage of opposition mistakes.

Final Period Action

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, low save within the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would be like the decades since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of attacks from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball back to the players in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of controversy attached.

The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being instructed to review by the VAR, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed home. On the run of play, parity was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Heroics

All this exciting encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another yellow card. Then the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was poor, letting the striker to finish. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a header off target. McGinn curling shot narrowly went past the upright. Then came the defender and a moment fit to deciding the contest. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, indeed.