🔗 Share this article

Hampden Park has hosted many memorable moments over its long history since 1903. Remember this one to the record. The Scottish protracted drought is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. Along with them the defender, whose swerving effort from distance looked like it had sealed the win in a high-scoring affair before the substitute delivered an still more stunning fourth.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Supporters in traditional dress wept. Denmark's chance in next summer’s event hinges on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly giddy country can begin planning concrete plans.

Researchers could develop studies on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They seemed defeated at times, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was like fate had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The match had supposedly opened in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in central defence, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley stepped in. All setback was forgotten in the first few minutes.

It was one of the most wondrous finishes delivered at Hampden in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His arched cross was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to navigate. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Rather, he propelled himself into the sky and landed an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous venue exploded, not only in acknowledgment of the early lead but the unique situation in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Battle

McTominay was playing like a player inspired. The young winger looked electric. The home team's danger was evident in going on the offensive with great intensity; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland area and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to keep their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant loss to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when attempting to block a pass. He departed the pitch 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 half-hour, the team were living extremely on the edge, a point underscored as the defender turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But Scotland made it to the break unscathed. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition slackness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker made Gordon into a sharp, low stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering Denmark only required a draw, the flow of attacks from the onset of the half felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but immediately handing the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The official originally saw no foul with Robertson tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen went down into the air. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker smashed home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be angry about the decision.

Final Heroics

All this thrilling match lacked was a red card. It arrived on the hour, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second caution. Now Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly careless.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn bending attempt just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a moment worthy to win any match. McLean provided the finish: from the center circle, indeed.