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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous historic occasions throughout its long history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the annals. The Scottish long wait has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from 22 yards appeared to sealed the win in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean delivered an more stunning clincher.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in added time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming jamboree rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant Scottish football community can start making solid plans.

Researchers could produce work on how exactly Scotland accomplished this. They looked finished at times, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The evening had reportedly started in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in central defence, was injured in the warmup. His replacement took his place. Any sense of disruption was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was some of the most amazing goals delivered at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. His lofted pass was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, to begin with. Instead, he propelled himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic stadium exploded, not just in appreciation of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it arrived. Amazing.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a driven individual. The young winger looked electric. The home team's danger was evident in going on the offensive with great intensity; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have been onside a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a battle to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major loss to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to block a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after just the opening period.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing very recklessly, a fact highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder shot just wide. Yet Scotland made it to the break without conceding. They were even denied of a excellent opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a sharp, down save within the opening moments of the second half. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a tie, the direction of traffic from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately handing the ball back to the players in red.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the hint of cordite attached.

The official originally saw no infringement with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being advised to review by the VAR, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be angry about the decision.

Late Drama

All this thrilling game was missing was a sending off. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn earning a second yellow card. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how easy it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. On this occasion Scotland were too generous.

The striker directed a header wide. McGinn curling shot narrowly went past the upright. Then came Tierney and a strike capable of deciding any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.