🔗 Share this article

Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for countless memorable occasions throughout its long history since 1903. Include this one to the record. The Scottish extended drought has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose swerving shot from distance appeared to sealed victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an even more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Supporters in kilts wept. The Danish chance in next summer’s jamboree rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly ecstatic football nation can prepare concrete arrangements.

Researchers could produce studies on how exactly the team pulled off this. They seemed down and out at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to a loss in Athens. It was as though destiny had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Unfolds

The night had reportedly started in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was forgotten within the opening moments.

This was one of the most wondrous finishes produced at the stadium in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. His floated cross ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the air and landed an overhead kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic stadium roared, not only in recognition of the opening goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger looked dynamic. Scottish offense resonated in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The offside flag was up but Højlund could have been onside a further inspection if it had been necessary. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a major loss to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when trying to block a pass. He departed the field on a medical cart after only the opening period.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too on the edge, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the break still ahead. They were even robbed of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a sharp, down save within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of play from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. They were succeeding – to a point – in disrupting Danish offensives but promptly giving the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with the captain's challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the run of play, parity was the least the away side earned but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Drama

The only thing exciting match was missing was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn earning a second yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, allowing the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. In a short time, a Danish player placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from goal. This time the defense were too lenient.

Adams directed a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly went past the post. Enter Tierney and a moment capable of deciding the contest. McLean added gloss: from the halfway line, no less.